WWII saga with two sisters both nurses but in different environments. We have Celia working in a POW camp attending to the enemy wounded, and Phoebe helping wounded allies in France.
Both sisters are trying to deal with the heartache of losing there parents and brother to a zeppelin attack earlier in the war. Both are likeable, though predictable in their stories. Very early on you can guess where each story will venture.
Easy reading but well written.

It is WW1 and Phoebe and Celia, sisters, have lost their family to a bombing in London. They are both devastated and go their separate ways to deal with their grief. Phoebe trains as a VAD and is sent to a hospital in France. Celia who is a nurse works in a hospital at a POW camp in Jersey. They both fall in love with patients. Phoebe an English Captain Archie Bailey and Celia a German POW Hauptmann Otto Meyer.
The horrors of war, the sacrifices and hard work that war nurses undertook, love, friendship and hope are all themes of the book.
I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to lovers of historical fiction.

An excellent and emotional read. The author has weaved an enjoyable story of two sisters serving in the war, doing their part, their duties and with that comes love and loss and a focus on what's important, family.

During World War I, Phoebe and Celia’s parents and brother are killed in a Zeppelin raid. Phoebe quits her teaching job to join the Voluntary Aid Detachment and goes to France. She falls for Archie, a patient, and confides in Celia. Celia, a nurse at a POW camp, writes back in anger, scolding Phoebe for not remaining dispassionate. Sounds like a bossy older sister, but Phoebe’s the elder. And Celia falls for Otto, a German prisoner. Archie heals and returns to war. Otto is transferred to an English camp. Can love survive the war?

I very much looked forward to reading this book as I am medical myself. Believe it or not . lots of the attitudes prevalent then were prevalent 30+ years ago.
I warmed to both sisters and the story is told alternating between the two POV. As it's WWI there are going to be traumas.. WWI did make it feel a bit distant, possibly a little too much. I wasn't keen on the regular "telling the reader" the same things either. Although the ending is hopeful I did feel let down by it. After so much anguish I did the reader deserved to be satisfied. For this reason I dropped a star. A good read but could so easily have been 5

Not sure about some of the Americanisms- this is UK 1916

This is a story set in WWI of two sisters: Phoebe who is a VAD and working in a Base Hospital in Etaples, France and Celia a nurse in Les Blanches Banques prisoner of war camp hospital on the island of Jersey. The sisters have a very close relationship brought even closer by the tragic deaths of both parents and their brother during a bombing raid at their home in England. Against all regulations both women fall in love with patients. Phoebe with Captain Archie Bailey and Celia with prisoner of war Otto Hoffman. The story tells of the trials and tribulations of love during war, and the heartaches and anguish along the way. Celia particularly faced antagonism from fellow nurses when her relationship with Otto was discovered. I would have liked to know more of their story following the end of the war. However WWI and WWII are my favourite genres and I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I would highly recommend. Thank you to One More Chapter and NetGalley for an E-arc and the opportunity to read and review

I was drawn in by the cover. The story is about two sisters in World War One, both are nurses. Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader copy. All opinions stated are my own.

Phoebe in France at a stationary base hospital. Celia in Jersey at a prisoner of war camp. Sisters who had just lost their parents and brother in a Zeppelin attack but doing their part for the war effort.

A pretty formulaic read in my opinion. One sister falls in love with a British officer she treats in the base hospital and worries about him all through the war. The other sister falls in love with a German soldier she treats when he is a prisoner of war and tries to keep it a secret with all the resulting problems that would ensue. Descriptions of war torn conditions are realistic and heart wrenching however, and lend some depth to the story. Overall, a disappointing read that did not live up to expectations.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

A Tale of Unbreakable Bonds and Resilience: "The Poppy Sister" by Deborah Carr

In "The Poppy Sister," Deborah Carr skillfully weaves a poignant and heartfelt narrative that takes readers on an emotional journey through the lives of two remarkable sisters, Phoebe and Celia. Set against the backdrop of World War I, this novel delves into the profound impact of war on both the soldiers and those who care for them.

Phoebe, a devoted VAD at a Base Hospital in Étaples, France, is confronted with the harsh realities of war on a daily basis. Carr beautifully portrays Phoebe's unwavering determination and compassion as she tends to wounded soldiers, drawing inspiration from their courage and resilience. However, her resolve is put to the test when she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Captain Archie Bailey, a man who manages to capture her heart amidst the chaos of war.

On the other hand, Celia, Phoebe's younger sister, serves as a nurse in a POW camp on the island of Jersey. Carr skillfully portrays the conflict within Celia, as she is faced with the moral dilemma of tending to enemy soldiers who were responsible for the bombing of her own family. Through long hours spent healing these men, Celia discovers that they are not the monsters she expected, challenging her preconceived notions and forcing her to question the true meaning of humanity.

"The Poppy Sister" expertly showcases the bond between the two sisters, highlighting their divergent experiences and the profound similarities that arise amidst the chaos of war. Carr skillfully captures the essence of community, friendship, and the unexpected moments of love and laughter that emerge even in the darkest of times. Through her eloquent prose, she paints a vivid picture of the human spirit's resilience, illustrating how even the most harrowing circumstances cannot sever the unbreakable ties of family.

Deborah Carr's meticulous attention to historical detail adds depth and authenticity to the story, immersing readers in the World War I era. Her descriptive writing transports readers to the front lines, evoking a range of emotions as they witness the triumphs and tragedies experienced by the characters.

While "The Poppy Sister" is a captivating and engrossing read, a four-star rating is awarded due to a few instances where the pacing slows down slightly. Nonetheless, this minor drawback does not overshadow the novel's overall impact and the compelling story it tells.

"The Poppy Sister" is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of love and compassion in the face of adversity. Deborah Carr has created a mesmerizing tale that pays homage to the unsung heroes of war and explores the profound impact it has on individuals and their relationships. This poignant and thought-provoking novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers, reminding us of the enduring bonds that can withstand even the harshest of circumstances.

Deborah Carr is one amazing author and has given us another outstandingly thought provoking book with a dual time line featuring 2 sisters doing there duty.
I can highly recommend this and any if this authors books

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.

this book is based in 1916 and is around the lives of Phoebe and Celia are 2 sisters who have seen their parents and brother die during the war.
They are both based at different parts of the country and the book is full of love and loyalty

A fantastic WW1 romance book from Deborah Carr. Phoebe and Celia are 2 sisters who have seen their parents and brother die during the war. Phoebe is sent to work as a VAB to France and Celia a nurse goes to Jersey but both see their lives turned upside down and fall in love. A very gripping book. Thanks to Deborah and her publisher.Thanks also to NetGalley.

Two sisters who were nurses at different places during the war in 1916. very good read. I enjoyed it very much.

The Poppy Sisters by Deborah Carr is a historical fiction story during WWI. Two sisters, Phoebe and Cilia, are serving as nurses in different locations after losing their parents and brother from an air raid. Phoebe is in France caring for injured soldiers and Celia is in Jersey caring for German POW injured soldiers.

Phoebe falls in love with one of her patients, Captain Archie Bailey which is against nursing ethics. Celia falls in love with a German prisoner, Otto, who is an enemy. Other nurses frown upon this relsationship between Otto and Celia. Will these sisters see each other again? What happens to Archie and Phoebe? What happens to Otto and Celia? Their situations are different yet they both have fallen in love unexpectantly. They both persevered through tragedy and heartache with courage and strength. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from Deborah Carr. It was a wonderful story but I felt like the ending was hanging a bit.

This is a good book. The sisters are Phoebe and Celia. The author says that likes for her books to be as true to life as possible. Life is not always exciting and intriguing. And so maybe, this is why small parts of this book are a little predictable and mundane. It is good but I am not sure if I will remember much about it in a few weeks. But it is a good book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

While this book may not be for every body, I truly loved it. I had been craving a historical fiction read and this book was just what I had been looking for. The stress Phoebe and Celia went through was palpable, and Carr wrote in a way that makes it impossible not to root for them. While it does end on somewhat of a cliffhanger, the direction it is going it clear and therefore not an issue to me.

This book was a treat to read.The horror of war and the duties of nurses is central to this book. The 3 main women characters are inspiring and the hope of love never fades. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. This book takes place during WWI and is focused on two sisters: Phoebe and Celia, who are in nursing roles. I would consider this book a romance which I'm not as into, but I did think it did a good job of focusing on the people affected by war and the idea of a nurse falling in love with the enemy while working at a POW camp. I found it to be well-written, but not really what I was expecting.

I have read other books by this author and really enjoyed them but I’m disappointed slightly with this one, it was flat and hard to keep up with the sisters as they seemed to follow their own agendas while transferring easily from Hospital to hospital and country with little notice and unless there’s a follow up book, part of the story line felt unfinished.