Softly Grow the Poppies

by Audrey Howard

In the summer of 1914, Rose is not looking for love. Then Alice Weatherly turns Rose's world upside down. The young heiress longs to kiss Captain Charlie Summers goodbye so she takes Rose to Liverpool's Lime Street station and into the heart of Charlie's brother Harry.

Genres: Historical Romance

400 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Audrey Howard was born on 1929 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK, and grew up in St Annes on Sea, Lancashire, where she lives in her childhood home.

Before she began to write she had a variety of jobs, among them hairdresser, model, shop assistant, cleaner and civil servant. In 1981, while living in Australia, she wrote the first of her bestselling novels published since 1984. In 1988, her novel The Juniper Bush won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Reviews

[Heidi Seary · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the most badly written books I have read in a book group. The writer does not understand the meaning of 'show, not tell' and the characters were all 2 dimensional versions of people. The bad ones were truly bad, the good ones angelic although one character was described as being a wonderful woman ( Alice) who abandons both her son and then her husband and runs off with another man. The only reason I gave it 2 stars was because there was some interesting information about WW1. I have no idea what we will be able to discuss about this book at our book group.

[Nona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another romantic drama set during the years of World War 1. It was different in that everything did not turn out fully OK in the end, but really has very little to offer.
It is set in a different scene; i.e. not the bombed streets of England, but in the country side in houses set aside for recovery hospitals.
It is easy reading, or listening as it was in my case, but really not good enough literary presence to give more than two stars.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable story by Audrey Howard set during WWI. The descriptions of the conditions and injuries the soldiers endured were horrific, but the romance between Harry and Rose was touching. Even though the ending finished too neatly for my liking Softly Grow the Poppies was still a nice book to curl up with by the fire on a cold winter's day.

[Lily Ashton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not having ready Audrey Howard before I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the main romance story running through the book. A lovely setting too and interesting to have a WW1 story on a farm.
I did get a feeling of the times and there were some appealing minor characters too.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this novel excruciating slow and after wading through it for awhile abandoned the novel before completion. (Not something I do easily)

[Ruth Bingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Simonp · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poorly written and predictable story
Many phases are repeated as if the author had forgotten the content of prior chapters

[Sammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

i couldn't put this book down. it starts with two unlikely heroines and two potential love stories. both get the power of love and wartime. i really enjoyed this book except for the ending, that i felt was quite rushed, just a snippet of something that could've led to a next book. but overall 4 stars

[Margaret Snowdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey Howard always takes you there to the scene and describes her
characters beautifully - she has to be one of my most favourite
writers - although, I must admit, I didn't find this nearly as
enjoyable as all the other books I've read of hers.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual from Audrey Howard an excellent, well told story. Some elements are foreshadowed in the ending but a good read.

[Kim Bani · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel bad for having to waste my time finishing this book. A lot of unnecessary parts

[Tess Wentworth]

Awful