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Broken Faces
A spectacularly powerful book. BROOK COTTAGE BOOKS1914. Lady Alexandra Baldwyn is stifled by her claustrophobic life of privilege at Somerton Hall. She is desperate to escape the confines of her family's stately home and do her bit for the war effort like her brother Charles and his best friend, Freddie Chevalier. She pleads with her parents to let her become a nurse in France, but her father refuses to sign the necessary papers and she must be content with driving ambulances in London.Freddie is secretly in love with Charles's fiancée, Meredith Sutton. When Meredith discovers that Charles has been unfaithful to her, she races to Freddie’s home in Jersey for consolation. They vow to keep what happens between them a secret and it’s only when the two men are fighting for survival in the trenches of Northern France that Charles discovers their betrayal.Heartbroken, Meredith joins the Voluntary Aid Detachment and is posted to nurse at a hospital in Amiens. When one of the men suffers a life-changing injury and is admitted to her ward she discovers that her heartache has only just begun. While Lexi reads a letter meant for Charles and ends up having to find a way to keep a little girl safe unsure if she's an orphan or if the child's father is someone close to home.Spanning the 1914-18 war Broken Faces is the story of four friends and their fight for survival. It is ultimately a story of how love can triumph over adversity in the most unexpected way.Praise for Deborah Carr's Broken FacesOne to Watch. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MAGAZINESpent most of my weekend quite mesmerized by this lovely book. TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE VOICEFans of Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will enjoy. BOOKMAD
487 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2015
776 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Carr
10 books180 followersDeborah Carr a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical fiction and published by HarperCollins One More Chapter division.
She lives on the island of Jersey with her husband and three rescue dogs and is one of The Blonde Plotters writing group.
She lives on the island of Jersey with her husband and three rescue dogs and is one of The Blonde Plotters writing group.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 22, 2016
When I read the blurb for this book I was intrigued! I love novels set during this period in history. A time when so many young men were slaughtered on the battlefields of a war that tore apart so many lives. I was particularly interested in the fact that the story centres around the life changing wounds suffered by so many and the psychological effects of their injuries. Young men trying to rebuild shattered lives with shattered bodies.
While reading the book I found myself completely drawn into the era. The author introduces the wonderfully rich language of the First World War and at times I felt I was in an old black and white movie or an episode of Downtown Abbey. I just loved it! I do think that one of the most shocking things is the way the upper classes were so 'inconvenienced' by war and how many really didn't realise what the real impact to ordinary families was. They soon find out that war is indiscriminate and their lives are affected in more ways that they can imagine. Even in the trenches the class system seems to come into effect. Although on the battlefields, death does not recognise or care about class.
Freddie is such an interesting character. A young man who is so desperate to fight for his country, and like many young men, not realising the full horror of war until he is actually there. Freddie is such an honourable young man and despite falling in love with Meri, best friend Charles' girl, he protects her honour and his friendship with Charles who has broken Meri's heart and who initially can only be described as a bit of a cad! All the while, another is waiting in the sidelines and Freddie is to blind to see that a love has blossomed for him in the heart of someone else.
As I've said, I was interested in the way the book explored the injuries sustained by the soldiers. Some of the battle scenes are harrowing but of course they need to be. There is no nice way to describe the slaughter of war. DM Carr has written a spectacularly powerful book about young men who were expected to be heroes at a time when many of them were little more than boys, trying to grow up too fast in an effort to serve the country they loved so much. Obviously back then, disability and disfigurement were not met with the same compassion or advances in medicine as the more modern world offers. Without little or no aftercare, soldiers were just expected to get on with it. Many could not. And, waiting for them are the women who love them.
Broken Faces is an emotional, romantic and heart stopping book that often left me wanting to grieve alongside the characters, particularly Freddie, for the life that was no more. Freddie, like many soldiers of the time must face the fact that his life will never be the same again and he must come to terms with that. Charles himself is changed too by the horror of war and evolves into a richer and more likable character throughout the book but can still be infuriating at times. He too is hiding one or two secrets and trying to protect his family.
For me, one of the most interesting topics the book covers is the role that women played during the First World War. How many of us could have done the job of patching up young men straight off the battlefield without any prior experience, or driving lorries full of supplies to troops. Bravery comes in many shapes and sizes.
An excellent book and definitely a recommended read!
While reading the book I found myself completely drawn into the era. The author introduces the wonderfully rich language of the First World War and at times I felt I was in an old black and white movie or an episode of Downtown Abbey. I just loved it! I do think that one of the most shocking things is the way the upper classes were so 'inconvenienced' by war and how many really didn't realise what the real impact to ordinary families was. They soon find out that war is indiscriminate and their lives are affected in more ways that they can imagine. Even in the trenches the class system seems to come into effect. Although on the battlefields, death does not recognise or care about class.
Freddie is such an interesting character. A young man who is so desperate to fight for his country, and like many young men, not realising the full horror of war until he is actually there. Freddie is such an honourable young man and despite falling in love with Meri, best friend Charles' girl, he protects her honour and his friendship with Charles who has broken Meri's heart and who initially can only be described as a bit of a cad! All the while, another is waiting in the sidelines and Freddie is to blind to see that a love has blossomed for him in the heart of someone else.
As I've said, I was interested in the way the book explored the injuries sustained by the soldiers. Some of the battle scenes are harrowing but of course they need to be. There is no nice way to describe the slaughter of war. DM Carr has written a spectacularly powerful book about young men who were expected to be heroes at a time when many of them were little more than boys, trying to grow up too fast in an effort to serve the country they loved so much. Obviously back then, disability and disfigurement were not met with the same compassion or advances in medicine as the more modern world offers. Without little or no aftercare, soldiers were just expected to get on with it. Many could not. And, waiting for them are the women who love them.
Broken Faces is an emotional, romantic and heart stopping book that often left me wanting to grieve alongside the characters, particularly Freddie, for the life that was no more. Freddie, like many soldiers of the time must face the fact that his life will never be the same again and he must come to terms with that. Charles himself is changed too by the horror of war and evolves into a richer and more likable character throughout the book but can still be infuriating at times. He too is hiding one or two secrets and trying to protect his family.
For me, one of the most interesting topics the book covers is the role that women played during the First World War. How many of us could have done the job of patching up young men straight off the battlefield without any prior experience, or driving lorries full of supplies to troops. Bravery comes in many shapes and sizes.
An excellent book and definitely a recommended read!
December 23, 2015
I love books set during the war, and I was drawn in to this one from the very first page. The author's done a great job of conveying the different facets, from the worry women feel with their men away fighting, to the horrors of the trenches. There's a great sense of atmosphere with the men in battle, and also - later - in the hospital where they're treated. The research about men with 'broken faces' shines through, but not in a heavy-handed way and I found the scenes moving and believable.
Relationships are the central thread of the story and again the author does a great job of fleshing out the characters, in particular the complicated friendship between Freddie and Charles, once Charles thinks he's been betrayed. The female leads, Lexi and Meri, are strongly written too and I was rooting for them both.
There's something to appeal to every reader, with welcome flashes of humour in places, and the Jersey setting was fascinating.
Highly recommended.
Relationships are the central thread of the story and again the author does a great job of fleshing out the characters, in particular the complicated friendship between Freddie and Charles, once Charles thinks he's been betrayed. The female leads, Lexi and Meri, are strongly written too and I was rooting for them both.
There's something to appeal to every reader, with welcome flashes of humour in places, and the Jersey setting was fascinating.
Highly recommended.
March 17, 2016
I spent most of my weekend quite mesmerised by this lovely book. Historical fiction done "straight" - without a modern thread to balance it - isn't always my kind of read, but the author does such a wonderful job of creating the world of the privileged classes contrasting with the horror of the battlefields of the First World War that I was totally drawn in from the first few pages.
Her research and understanding of the social history shines from the pages - the manners and morals, and the absence of understanding of the reality of war by those insulated by class from its full effects. The home front scenes are - as the Good Housekeeping panel said - relatively familiar to us all from our Downton Abbey viewing, and its many fans would love this book. There are some lovely touches - the cook making meals out of nothing, the major hardship for the privileged being only fewer rooms heated by fires, and the reluctance to allow the butler to neglect his duties to support the war effort. The battlefield and hospital scenes are harrowing - as they should be - and in stark contrast to the soft comfort of home. There's one particular scene following the battlefield death of a horse that I think might stay with me forever. And the descriptions of processes involved in the surgery carried out on damaged faces and the masks made to disguise them was totally fascinating, and very moving.
The characterisation is really excellent. I really liked Meredith, suitably feisty but very much a woman of her time, working as a nursing assistant dealing with severely injured and disfigured servicemen brought in from the front. I liked her fiancé Charles less - but the scenes he's involved in at the front did increase my sympathy for him. I couldn't forgive him some things though - particularly his over-the-top reaction to a misunderstanding about Meredith's relationship with his closest friend Freddie, which coloured his actions for so much of the book. Freddie is a wonderful character, with a vulnerability that touches to the heart as he deals with the war's personal impact. And we see Lexi growing to womanhood nursing an unrequited love - and demonstrating a glorious impetuousness in all she says and does. I'm really going to miss these people tremendously. Minor characters shine brightly too - Nanny, Ellie's mother, Freddie's father and particularly Charles' difficult comrade in arms Hamilton-Browne.
DM Carr writes quite beautifully - the dialogue quite natural but perfectly of its time, the descriptions vivid whether soft-edged or stark, the emotional impact of the story beautifully handled - and I was left with the lasting impression of an excellent story really well told. I'd really like to read more. I wonder if there's any possibility of the author picking up the stories of these wonderful characters again? I do hope so - I'd be pre-ordering now. A really lovely read, and highly recommended.
Her research and understanding of the social history shines from the pages - the manners and morals, and the absence of understanding of the reality of war by those insulated by class from its full effects. The home front scenes are - as the Good Housekeeping panel said - relatively familiar to us all from our Downton Abbey viewing, and its many fans would love this book. There are some lovely touches - the cook making meals out of nothing, the major hardship for the privileged being only fewer rooms heated by fires, and the reluctance to allow the butler to neglect his duties to support the war effort. The battlefield and hospital scenes are harrowing - as they should be - and in stark contrast to the soft comfort of home. There's one particular scene following the battlefield death of a horse that I think might stay with me forever. And the descriptions of processes involved in the surgery carried out on damaged faces and the masks made to disguise them was totally fascinating, and very moving.
The characterisation is really excellent. I really liked Meredith, suitably feisty but very much a woman of her time, working as a nursing assistant dealing with severely injured and disfigured servicemen brought in from the front. I liked her fiancé Charles less - but the scenes he's involved in at the front did increase my sympathy for him. I couldn't forgive him some things though - particularly his over-the-top reaction to a misunderstanding about Meredith's relationship with his closest friend Freddie, which coloured his actions for so much of the book. Freddie is a wonderful character, with a vulnerability that touches to the heart as he deals with the war's personal impact. And we see Lexi growing to womanhood nursing an unrequited love - and demonstrating a glorious impetuousness in all she says and does. I'm really going to miss these people tremendously. Minor characters shine brightly too - Nanny, Ellie's mother, Freddie's father and particularly Charles' difficult comrade in arms Hamilton-Browne.
DM Carr writes quite beautifully - the dialogue quite natural but perfectly of its time, the descriptions vivid whether soft-edged or stark, the emotional impact of the story beautifully handled - and I was left with the lasting impression of an excellent story really well told. I'd really like to read more. I wonder if there's any possibility of the author picking up the stories of these wonderful characters again? I do hope so - I'd be pre-ordering now. A really lovely read, and highly recommended.
June 1, 2017
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
"This is a novel about women picking up the mess that men make. They do this practically – nursing and driving ambulances; medically – the person remodelling the shattered faces of the soldiers is a woman; socially – breaking down the barriers between classes; and, in its early form, politically – women of higher classes asserting their right to work and proving their abilities to be more than the fragile lady at home to be protected from reality. The simple act of cutting their long hair to a more practical bob is symbolic: initially shocking but ultimately accepted as necessary. "
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"This is a novel about women picking up the mess that men make. They do this practically – nursing and driving ambulances; medically – the person remodelling the shattered faces of the soldiers is a woman; socially – breaking down the barriers between classes; and, in its early form, politically – women of higher classes asserting their right to work and proving their abilities to be more than the fragile lady at home to be protected from reality. The simple act of cutting their long hair to a more practical bob is symbolic: initially shocking but ultimately accepted as necessary. "
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
January 2, 2019
Shallow!
This book centers during the WWI era in France and England. The main characters include two male friends who are in the English Calvary stationed in France and two women who become nurses.
I found the characters Charles and Meri very shallow and unlikable. Charles was especially asinine with his arrogance and narcissistic actions. I felt his actions with the child Ellie distasteful and self-serving and his sister Lexi's keeping her with Nanny equally atrocious given her belief they were related.
Freddie seems to be the only redeeming character in this drawn out drama. Charles and Meri truly deserve one another in my opinion.
All said and done, I'm not a fan of the plot and didn't feel any depth to the characters of story. I'll pass on recommendations.
This book centers during the WWI era in France and England. The main characters include two male friends who are in the English Calvary stationed in France and two women who become nurses.
I found the characters Charles and Meri very shallow and unlikable. Charles was especially asinine with his arrogance and narcissistic actions. I felt his actions with the child Ellie distasteful and self-serving and his sister Lexi's keeping her with Nanny equally atrocious given her belief they were related.
Freddie seems to be the only redeeming character in this drawn out drama. Charles and Meri truly deserve one another in my opinion.
All said and done, I'm not a fan of the plot and didn't feel any depth to the characters of story. I'll pass on recommendations.
March 13, 2018
A Real Sense of War
I found this story to offer a real sense of the horror of war, particularly the Great War with its fighting in the trenches, the effect of battle on both men and horses, and the challenges of being willing to go on in spite of disfiguring was wounds. The romance elements included more than one love triangle. The characters were well-written, not all of them lovable, but believable. An excellent story.
The cover I saw on Goodreads did not appeal to me at all, and I would not have given the book the time of day if that is the one I had seen first. The new cover is much better and enticed me to read the book.
I found this story to offer a real sense of the horror of war, particularly the Great War with its fighting in the trenches, the effect of battle on both men and horses, and the challenges of being willing to go on in spite of disfiguring was wounds. The romance elements included more than one love triangle. The characters were well-written, not all of them lovable, but believable. An excellent story.
The cover I saw on Goodreads did not appeal to me at all, and I would not have given the book the time of day if that is the one I had seen first. The new cover is much better and enticed me to read the book.
February 17, 2020
A very enjoyable read about 4 young people’s whose lives were changed by WW 1. I read a lot of book about WW2 but that many about WW1. It was a good read with a plot that moved along. Anyone interested in a drama surrounded by WW1 and the culture of the time should enjoy it.
February 26, 2017
I'm fascinated with books set during this period. This one didn't let me down. I loved the characters, Freddie especially, and watching him work through his recovery from the injury caused by the war, was well portrayed.
The horrors of war were laid bare and left little to the imagination. That might not be for some, but without it, the book wouldn't have been the same.
A great deal of research went into this book and I look forward to more from this author.
The horrors of war were laid bare and left little to the imagination. That might not be for some, but without it, the book wouldn't have been the same.
A great deal of research went into this book and I look forward to more from this author.
January 3, 2018
While this was a lovely story, I found it difficult to read due to the plethora of grammatical errors, poor punctuation, and run on sentences. It was clear that very little editing was done. I am not sure if this was because I was reading an e-book edition or if this was just poor proofing. I found myself wishing I had a red pen to fix all the mistakes. Otherwise, there was great detail on the interpersonal relationships and I was glad there were no outrageous sexual scenes and no poor language. I enjoyed learning about the skills used in that era to repair the traumatic facial injuries. A good human interest story. Next time I read this author I hope there is better editing.
July 3, 2016
I found this incredibly hard to put down. I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but this enthralled me from the beginning, and as I went along, I couldn't help wondering what would happen next. And, of course, there was the happily after ever I crave - even if the characters did have to go through hell to get there. I can't wait to see what DM Carr has in store for readers next.
October 16, 2016
I loved this book. Beautiful sense of time and place, and the historical setting came alive from the battlefields of the first World War to how those left at home had to change and adapt to a new way of life. Will certainly look out for more by this author.
February 28, 2018
“Broken Faces” by Deborah Carr tells the story of Lady Alexandra Baldwyn “Lexi”, her brother Charles, his friend Freddie Chevalier, with whom Lexi is in love, and Charles’ fiancée, Meri. 1914 England was a difficult time. Charles and Meri were engaged to be married, but that didn’t stop Charles from one last fling with his mistress…where Meri found them together. Meri is heartbroken and breaks the engagement.
The war in France was raging and young men were joining up to fight the Huns. Freddie goes home to Jersey where he tends the farm with his father until he decides that he needs to help in the fight. Lexi just wants to contribute and volunteers, driving ambulances and delivering supplies in England. Meri joins the V.A.D. and is nursing in a field hospital in France. Charles is fighting in the trenches and is soon joined by Freddie. Freddie is wounded in the face and is evacuated to the field hospital where Meri is a nurse. Eventually Freddie ends up in a Facial Reconstruction Hospital in Amiens where everything possible is done to repair the damage done to his face.
I could just re-write the story in my review, because there are so many facets of this novel. However, I must say that reading this novel gave a true glimpse of what had to be the most horrible type of warfare. Human beings maimed and killed over a swath of land known as “no man’s land”, constant barrage of munitions, mud, filth, deprivation. This book follows these four young people as they come to grips with their lives during and after the war. With carnage and damage surrounding them, can they even think of going on with new lives.
I enjoyed the book from the historical viewpoint, but it was hard reading of the terrible injuries and the attempts of the men and women to overcome them.
You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-uj. Other reviews can be found at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.
The war in France was raging and young men were joining up to fight the Huns. Freddie goes home to Jersey where he tends the farm with his father until he decides that he needs to help in the fight. Lexi just wants to contribute and volunteers, driving ambulances and delivering supplies in England. Meri joins the V.A.D. and is nursing in a field hospital in France. Charles is fighting in the trenches and is soon joined by Freddie. Freddie is wounded in the face and is evacuated to the field hospital where Meri is a nurse. Eventually Freddie ends up in a Facial Reconstruction Hospital in Amiens where everything possible is done to repair the damage done to his face.
I could just re-write the story in my review, because there are so many facets of this novel. However, I must say that reading this novel gave a true glimpse of what had to be the most horrible type of warfare. Human beings maimed and killed over a swath of land known as “no man’s land”, constant barrage of munitions, mud, filth, deprivation. This book follows these four young people as they come to grips with their lives during and after the war. With carnage and damage surrounding them, can they even think of going on with new lives.
I enjoyed the book from the historical viewpoint, but it was hard reading of the terrible injuries and the attempts of the men and women to overcome them.
You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-uj. Other reviews can be found at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.
January 23, 2019
Broken Faces is by Deborah Carr. This is a World War I book and it takes place in a trauma unit in France. It concerns the lives of Meredith, Freddie, and Charles who had been best friends for a long time.
Meredith was anxious to see Charles who was home for a visit. He was to be in that afternoon so she thought she would go to his apartment and surprise him there. She is the one who was surprised. When she opened the door, she caught him with his mistress. To her, that was the end of their relationship. Charles has to fight for her again and now she won’t talk to him. Freddie has known Charles since they were boys in school and has also fallen in love with Meredith. Maybe he has a chance now?
Then men go off to war and find it is not what they thought being in the cavalry would be while Meredith and Lexi work in hospitals. Mistakes are made by all parties and love seems to evade. Where will they all end up?
This book is great and eventually involves treating those with facial wounds. A visit to Paris to see Anna Coleman Ladd, the American Sculptress who made masks for men who had ben severely wounded.
The book is wonderful and goes in some depth in using masks to hide severely wounded.
Meredith was anxious to see Charles who was home for a visit. He was to be in that afternoon so she thought she would go to his apartment and surprise him there. She is the one who was surprised. When she opened the door, she caught him with his mistress. To her, that was the end of their relationship. Charles has to fight for her again and now she won’t talk to him. Freddie has known Charles since they were boys in school and has also fallen in love with Meredith. Maybe he has a chance now?
Then men go off to war and find it is not what they thought being in the cavalry would be while Meredith and Lexi work in hospitals. Mistakes are made by all parties and love seems to evade. Where will they all end up?
This book is great and eventually involves treating those with facial wounds. A visit to Paris to see Anna Coleman Ladd, the American Sculptress who made masks for men who had ben severely wounded.
The book is wonderful and goes in some depth in using masks to hide severely wounded.
April 15, 2018
Broken Faces, my opinion.
I loved this book for many reasons. The struggles families of all classes experienced during such a difficult time and the courage shown by those at the Frontline. I love reading books such as this as, although it is supposedly Fiction, there is so much fact about situations and medical progress. As a retired Nurse trained in the 60's I am passionate about both World Wars and especially the Medical side of that time
I loved this book for many reasons. The struggles families of all classes experienced during such a difficult time and the courage shown by those at the Frontline. I love reading books such as this as, although it is supposedly Fiction, there is so much fact about situations and medical progress. As a retired Nurse trained in the 60's I am passionate about both World Wars and especially the Medical side of that time
January 5, 2019
Not another one!
I’m really into the WW1 era and the changes it brought about in society but recently there has been a plethora of books like this one where all that changes is the names of the main characters.
At one point I was wishing the main couple would return to France and not come back.
I need to learn to pick books that don’t need the drastic editing that this one could have done with.
It might have been a passable short story.
I’m really into the WW1 era and the changes it brought about in society but recently there has been a plethora of books like this one where all that changes is the names of the main characters.
At one point I was wishing the main couple would return to France and not come back.
I need to learn to pick books that don’t need the drastic editing that this one could have done with.
It might have been a passable short story.
August 11, 2019
A story to sit and enjoy.
This is the first book I have read by this Author and I felt it wasn't long enough and you wanted it to go on longer as there were so many twist and turns. However as Levi and Freddie are getting married and moving to Jersey perhaps, a future book could be about the invasion baby German troops in WW2 and how their respective!I cope with the whole thing. Including any children they are blessed with. Just a thought.
This is the first book I have read by this Author and I felt it wasn't long enough and you wanted it to go on longer as there were so many twist and turns. However as Levi and Freddie are getting married and moving to Jersey perhaps, a future book could be about the invasion baby German troops in WW2 and how their respective!I cope with the whole thing. Including any children they are blessed with. Just a thought.
June 27, 2023
This was not my favorite of Deborah Carr’s books. I thought it would focus more on Anna Coleman Ladd and her work with the injured soldiers with “broken faces” and the start of plastic surgery procedures, but there was a weak love triangle, lovesick characters dealing with their obsessions, and silly misunderstandings that could have been resolved with a word. So… this was a bit of a disappointment for me.
April 1, 2018
Historical fiction in World War 2 era is my favorite genre to read. This book was very captivating. Any period piece that has nursing featured in it is also quite captivating, considering I am nurse. This novel was a love story, a war story and a story of friendship, sorrow, and trust. I rarely read books more than once, but this book is one of those books worth the second read!
March 7, 2019
Not much available on the first world war
I would have liked to read more about the actual war but did enjoy this book. It seemed like the soldier that was fretted about was left to one line when he died. They were so cautious and worried about him but it was not mentioned again.. Did Charles go back to war? What was his reaction to Freddie and Lexie? What about Ellie?
I would have liked to read more about the actual war but did enjoy this book. It seemed like the soldier that was fretted about was left to one line when he died. They were so cautious and worried about him but it was not mentioned again.. Did Charles go back to war? What was his reaction to Freddie and Lexie? What about Ellie?
March 8, 2019
It was a bit predictabke, but overall a good story. I knew how it would end and got a bit impatient at the characters lack of trust after realizing trust was good.
I was sort of expecting a Beauty and the Beast kind of story, but it really wasnt.
It was a fairly good historical novel, but all the characters seemed to have more freedom that I think would be in an actual wartome.
I was sort of expecting a Beauty and the Beast kind of story, but it really wasnt.
It was a fairly good historical novel, but all the characters seemed to have more freedom that I think would be in an actual wartome.
July 23, 2019
War and Love
Good glimpse of WWI. A little graphic at times, but understandably so as it is about a brutal war. Love story was intriguing. As another reader noted, there were some distracting errors in grammar, flow and etc. But I did find the story somewhat compelling and stayed awake much too long several nights.
Good glimpse of WWI. A little graphic at times, but understandably so as it is about a brutal war. Love story was intriguing. As another reader noted, there were some distracting errors in grammar, flow and etc. But I did find the story somewhat compelling and stayed awake much too long several nights.
October 18, 2019
Good story.
This book was okay, but it was dragging a bit in places. I was hoping for a tug at my heartstrings, but instead, I just didn't feel drawn into the story. Deborah Carr tells a good story and provides decent character development. I still felt like something was missing and I can't put my finger on it. Perhaps it's just me.
This book was okay, but it was dragging a bit in places. I was hoping for a tug at my heartstrings, but instead, I just didn't feel drawn into the story. Deborah Carr tells a good story and provides decent character development. I still felt like something was missing and I can't put my finger on it. Perhaps it's just me.
November 1, 2020
Ok - but a bit light -the broken faces bit was 1 chapter....... I thought it was going to bring more of the development in what they were doing for wounded shoulders to the fore of the story. It was basically a predictable love story. Not at all bad if it was a love story I thought I was getting, but I was expecting so much more.
September 10, 2022
Excellent read!!!
I loved the endings and where the various loose ends were clarified and resolved into place. An old grand romance throughout thick , thin and even thinner. People survive and sadly others do not but still life continues on. A definite must-read for old romantics young and old in years on earth...
I loved the endings and where the various loose ends were clarified and resolved into place. An old grand romance throughout thick , thin and even thinner. People survive and sadly others do not but still life continues on. A definite must-read for old romantics young and old in years on earth...
January 25, 2019
What a fabulous read.
I love WW1 stories, and this one did not disappoint. Set in England, the island of Jersey and the battlefields of France. It tells of the atrocities of war, friendship, mis-understandings and enduring love.
A truly magnificent read.
I love WW1 stories, and this one did not disappoint. Set in England, the island of Jersey and the battlefields of France. It tells of the atrocities of war, friendship, mis-understandings and enduring love.
A truly magnificent read.
February 2, 2019
Frustratingly sophmoric
I hate books where the characters are so self absorbed that situations get blown out of proportion because no one talks or listens and just assumes they know the truth. Couldn't finish this book fast enough!
I hate books where the characters are so self absorbed that situations get blown out of proportion because no one talks or listens and just assumes they know the truth. Couldn't finish this book fast enough!
May 13, 2019
Shallow characters
This book had an okay story but the people were shallow, childish, predictable, and boring. I finished it because I kept hoping for better, but alas it never really got more interesting.
This book had an okay story but the people were shallow, childish, predictable, and boring. I finished it because I kept hoping for better, but alas it never really got more interesting.
June 13, 2019
This was a great historical romance story. I fell in love with the characters immediately and was sad when I finished the book. I get involved with the characters and lost in the setting and can forget my problems and just be there with them in history. Adding this author to my favorites.
November 28, 2020
Only read first page
After the prologue which promised an interesting read, it shifted immediately to a very sexual scene. I never read beyond that. Just not my thing. My time is too valuable to spend on that when so many other books are there to be read.
After the prologue which promised an interesting read, it shifted immediately to a very sexual scene. I never read beyond that. Just not my thing. My time is too valuable to spend on that when so many other books are there to be read.
August 8, 2021
Broken Faces
This novel gives an insight into the medical progressions of facial surgery during World War 1. It is a story about friendship,strife and love. The characters show all facets of the conflict of war in battle and at home. I really enjoyed this book.
This novel gives an insight into the medical progressions of facial surgery during World War 1. It is a story about friendship,strife and love. The characters show all facets of the conflict of war in battle and at home. I really enjoyed this book.
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