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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
This book suffered through not really having any sort of compelling story, and characters that the reader was not ever able to fully invest in. The two sisters were almost carbon copies of each other, just sent to different places, both falling in love with patients. The writing was passable, but the story was dull, and I found myself skimming through it just to get it read, in the hopes that it might improve. It had all the promise of a hood story, but it just didn't work. There was also not a lot of world setting - even when one of the sisters trundled off for a holiday with a random family member of a random doctor she was working with, I never felt drawn into where they were. This book is actually a good example of a book that has a lot of promise, but would have benefitted from greater editorial oversight - it needed a bit of a ruthless re-write.
Two sisters, separated by war, isolated by grief. Both of them throw themselves into their work to deal with the pain of losing their family - Phoebe as a VAD in France, and Celia as a nurse in a POW camp on Jersey. At its core, this is a story of forbidden love that stands the test of battle and time, a book about friendship and the ties that bind us together in times of trouble. A satisfying ending with a few characters left hanging - perhaps they'll get their own story?
Recommended.
Recommended.
This should have been a fantastic read. It had all the hallmarks.
I was in awe of the spectacular cover, intrigued by the premise, and I’m a big fan of historical fiction. I also come from a family of girls and thought, on some level, I could relate to the sibling experience. I was certain that the book would have a wonderful sense of place as the author lives in the Channel Islands.
I struggled with the character development, the repetitive 'telling not showing', the unbelievable coincidences, and the uncomfortable exchanges between characters. The ending was ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back.’ I felt let down.
Please don’t let my disappointment cloud your choice. I truly appreciated the invitation to read this book, but it’s obvious after the second book by this author, that I prefer a faster-paced story with a larger helping of reality.
I was gifted this copy by One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I was in awe of the spectacular cover, intrigued by the premise, and I’m a big fan of historical fiction. I also come from a family of girls and thought, on some level, I could relate to the sibling experience. I was certain that the book would have a wonderful sense of place as the author lives in the Channel Islands.
I struggled with the character development, the repetitive 'telling not showing', the unbelievable coincidences, and the uncomfortable exchanges between characters. The ending was ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back.’ I felt let down.
Please don’t let my disappointment cloud your choice. I truly appreciated the invitation to read this book, but it’s obvious after the second book by this author, that I prefer a faster-paced story with a larger helping of reality.
I was gifted this copy by One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Oh, my goodness, where do I begin!?
How about why can't I give this book a higher rating than 5-star!? It deserves a gazillion stars.
I absolutely loved every word, paragraph and chapter. I had a hard time putting it down and I read it under 24 hours. I've read a few of the authors books and have loved every one of them. The Poppy Sisters didn't disappoint, and I am quite surprised with the lower ratings although some books are just not for some people. The story is set in Etaples, France and the island of Jersey about two sisters, one a nurse, Celia, and the older sister a teacher turned VAD, Phoebe, who is stationed in France.
Well, this book for me was brilliant. I enjoyed it so much and it took an unexpected twist that when it came to the title I thought the outcome would be so different. I had a few tissues at the ready because with most of Deborah Carr's stories I end up crying. This one was no different.
Well written and like I said it kept me reading well into the night. I would love to see a second book about Phoebe and Celia, a little more insight to what happens to them after the war. They imprinted so much on me that it would be wonderful to read about them again! Hint, Hint Ms. Carr.
Highly recommend and please make your own judgment when reading "The Poppy Sisters" don't go by the reviews. Books are meant to be read and judge by the reader not by others. Yes, you can form your own opinion after reading the reviews but not all books will agree with everyone. So take the chance you won't be disappointed!
HIGHLY recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for allowing me to read an advanced digital copy of The Poppy Sisters.
This review is my words and my words alone. It is from the heart while not eloquent I mean every word! LOVED this book!
How about why can't I give this book a higher rating than 5-star!? It deserves a gazillion stars.
I absolutely loved every word, paragraph and chapter. I had a hard time putting it down and I read it under 24 hours. I've read a few of the authors books and have loved every one of them. The Poppy Sisters didn't disappoint, and I am quite surprised with the lower ratings although some books are just not for some people. The story is set in Etaples, France and the island of Jersey about two sisters, one a nurse, Celia, and the older sister a teacher turned VAD, Phoebe, who is stationed in France.
Well, this book for me was brilliant. I enjoyed it so much and it took an unexpected twist that when it came to the title I thought the outcome would be so different. I had a few tissues at the ready because with most of Deborah Carr's stories I end up crying. This one was no different.
Well written and like I said it kept me reading well into the night. I would love to see a second book about Phoebe and Celia, a little more insight to what happens to them after the war. They imprinted so much on me that it would be wonderful to read about them again! Hint, Hint Ms. Carr.
Highly recommend and please make your own judgment when reading "The Poppy Sisters" don't go by the reviews. Books are meant to be read and judge by the reader not by others. Yes, you can form your own opinion after reading the reviews but not all books will agree with everyone. So take the chance you won't be disappointed!
HIGHLY recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for allowing me to read an advanced digital copy of The Poppy Sisters.
This review is my words and my words alone. It is from the heart while not eloquent I mean every word! LOVED this book!
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Of all the books I have read this week, The Poppy Sisters is my favorite. The other nine books were good, but The Poppy Sisters grabbed me and didn't let me go until I finished it. I forgot about sleeping because I couldn't forget about Phoebe and Celia.
Phoebe and Celia are sisters working as nurses during World War One. It was a brilliant idea to use the two sisters as the main characters because the reader gets to experience two totally different scenarios. Phoebe is on the Island of Jersey working in a Prisoner-of-War camp. Celia is stationed in France near the frontline caring for the wounded.
Their stories run parallel in time allowing the reader to see two different perspectives for the same time period. Prisoners play in the snow on Jersey and have warm places to dry off. Soldiers in the trenches of France are fighting for their lives in mud, never being able to get dry.
The reader learns what it was like for Phoebe and others to work around POWs. Not everyone was happy to care for the Germans. Talk about drama!!!!! I learned quite a lot from following her story and what happened at the camp.
It was following Celia's story that affected me the most. The horrors of war experienced by Celia left me wondering how they carried on. What soldiers experienced left me in tears. It never seemed to stop. The hospital in France was challenged to keep up with the wounded on numerous occasions even having to build more wards.
The Poppy Sisters is so much more than just a story about the medical side of World War One. As they say "life goes on." Phoebe and Celia both fall in love. They weren't supposed to fall for the men they did adding even more drama and shocking moments to the story. Their love lives, or attempted love lives, made for a great read. Emotion rolled off the pages. I was frequently shocked by what happened. But it was so believable.
Grab some tissues. There is a lot of sadness. The gore was easy to imagine with the descriptions given by the author. The men suffered horribly. The day to day struggles gutted me. Even with all the sadness the story is a very enlightening read. The Poppy Sisters has given me a lot to think about. The Poppy Sisters has me digging more into the past to learn of the sacrifices that were made.
09/01/23 I couldn't help myself and read The Poppy Sisters again. Still a favorite.
Phoebe and Celia are sisters working as nurses during World War One. It was a brilliant idea to use the two sisters as the main characters because the reader gets to experience two totally different scenarios. Phoebe is on the Island of Jersey working in a Prisoner-of-War camp. Celia is stationed in France near the frontline caring for the wounded.
Their stories run parallel in time allowing the reader to see two different perspectives for the same time period. Prisoners play in the snow on Jersey and have warm places to dry off. Soldiers in the trenches of France are fighting for their lives in mud, never being able to get dry.
The reader learns what it was like for Phoebe and others to work around POWs. Not everyone was happy to care for the Germans. Talk about drama!!!!! I learned quite a lot from following her story and what happened at the camp.
It was following Celia's story that affected me the most. The horrors of war experienced by Celia left me wondering how they carried on. What soldiers experienced left me in tears. It never seemed to stop. The hospital in France was challenged to keep up with the wounded on numerous occasions even having to build more wards.
The Poppy Sisters is so much more than just a story about the medical side of World War One. As they say "life goes on." Phoebe and Celia both fall in love. They weren't supposed to fall for the men they did adding even more drama and shocking moments to the story. Their love lives, or attempted love lives, made for a great read. Emotion rolled off the pages. I was frequently shocked by what happened. But it was so believable.
Grab some tissues. There is a lot of sadness. The gore was easy to imagine with the descriptions given by the author. The men suffered horribly. The day to day struggles gutted me. Even with all the sadness the story is a very enlightening read. The Poppy Sisters has given me a lot to think about. The Poppy Sisters has me digging more into the past to learn of the sacrifices that were made.
09/01/23 I couldn't help myself and read The Poppy Sisters again. Still a favorite.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No