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Deborah Carr
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Broken Faces: Secrets, love, and survival in the First World War Kindle Edition

by Deborah Carr (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 2,512 ratings

A spectacularly powerful book. BROOK COTTAGE BOOKS

1914. 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 Faces

One to Watch. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MAGAZINE
Spent most of my weekend quite mesmerized by this lovely book. TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE VOICE
Fans of Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will enjoy. BOOKMAD

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  1. Print length
    487 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 15, 2015
  4. File size
    859 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B019G1FAE4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Green Shutter Books (December 15, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 15, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 859 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 487 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 2,512 ratings

About the author

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Deborah Carr

Deborah Carr

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Deborah Carr is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical fiction. She was born and lives on the island of Jersey, in the Channel Islands where she sets most of her books.

Her first book, Broken Faces was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping Novel Writing Competition in 2012 giving her the confidence to keep going. Her WW1 novel, The Poppy Sisters was an Amazon First Reads Editor’s Pick and The Poppy Field and An Island at War were USA TODAY bestsellers.

The Channel Islands was the only place in the British Isles occupied by German forces during WW2. This dark time in the island's history is the setting for her latest novel, Neighbours at War. An Island at War and part of The Beekeeper's War was also set during the Jersey Occupation.

Her next book, The Witching Hour is about a reluctant witch and condemned ex-privateer set between two timelines during the Jersey Occupation and the English Civil War.

She is the author behind the Mrs Boots trilogy inspired by Jersey woman, Florence Boot, the woman behind the Boots empire.

Deborah lives near the beach and begins each day walking by the sea with her three rescue dogs before sitting down to write.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
2,512 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a rich historical fiction story that holds their interest throughout. The writing is well-crafted and beautifully described, with good character development. They appreciate the narrative style, with one customer noting the vivid sequences of the war.

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31 customers mention "Story quality"31 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging and well-told, describing it as a historical fiction that holds their interest throughout.

"...This involved more of the emotional aspects from the war injuries and its effects on self and relationships...." Read more

"...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..." Read more

"...An old grand romance throughout thick , thin and even thinner. People survive and sadly others do not but still life continues on...." Read more

"...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...." Read more

23 customers mention "Readability"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful read, with one mentioning it's a nice relaxing afternoon read.

"...But, it was a factual, overall clean read with a happier ending for those who enjoy historical romances." Read more

"This book was okay, but it was dragging a bit in places...." Read more

"...Nice relaxing book for the afternoon read or at the beach." Read more

"...But, with that being said I so enjoyed this book. Definitely a lot of suspense and a great love story. I will definitely follow this author" Read more

10 customers mention "Writing quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it beautifully described and well written, with one customer noting its fast-moving pace.

"...It is an easy read in one sense but quite unsettling in another. Read and find out for yourself." Read more

"Well I can't say it was a bad book because it was very well written...." Read more

"This was so well written and this type of injury and artistic way to help the injured enter back into a socially acceptable life was real...." Read more

"...The families and their homes were beautifully described. The nurses and support people came to life in this heart breaking, at times, story...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...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...." Read more

"Wonderful characters trying to make the best of serving in WWI. Lots of emotions but they get through it all. Highly recommended" Read more

"...I had never heard of anything like this. The character line was interesting too and shows what happens when you can't talk about situations...." Read more

"I loved this book and did not want it to end. I fell in love with the characters and felt their pain, and happiness...." Read more

6 customers mention "Narrative style"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the narrative style of the book, with one review highlighting its vivid war sequences and realistic portrayal of military strategies.

"...Also detailed were the war strategies, allowing the reader to become directly in the midst of battles...." Read more

"...The most vivid sequences were of the war and evoked belated horror of what the WW1 soldiers had to endure as well as the women who provided crucial..." Read more

"Gives a viewpoint of the soldiers on the field and the injuries incurred while at war...." Read more

"...The book also give a realistic view of War, which everyone should read!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Booklover
    5.0 out of 5 stars WWI Historical Romance
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Although author's "Poppy Fields" book was my favorite, I did enjoy this one also. This involved more of the emotional aspects from the war injuries and its effects on self and relationships. Once again, it involves nursing with the setting mostly in France. Also detailed were the war strategies, allowing the reader to become directly in the midst of battles. There were several ongoing surprising themes and outcomes which kept one's interests. Romantic encounters were somewhat glossed over, to the point, of having to continue read to clarify consequences. But, it was a factual, overall clean read with a happier ending for those who enjoy historical romances.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Barb Klein
    4.0 out of 5 stars Horrors of War
    Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    “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.
    13 people found this helpful
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  • RLP
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    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...
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  • Cayla S.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good story.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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  • Jane
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well told story of Love and War
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I really like stories of love during wartime. To me it means they didn’t give up, they believed that life would return to normal albeit a new normal.
    This book was a love story, but also one of changing times. Did it take wars to force changes to ways of life. Would these changes have come about without the wars?
    It is an easy read in one sense but quite unsettling in another. Read and find out for yourself.
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  • Mickie Knott
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fast read.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I am not a reader who likes mundane facts to be repeated over and over in a book. I like to get straight to the point and go on. This book took me to the purpose and held my interest all the way through. I did surmise what would happen in the end, but did not know how it would happen. Nice relaxing book for the afternoon read or at the beach.
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  • Unknown
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    If you have a weak stomach do not read as there are parts in the book that are gorey . But, with that being said I so enjoyed this book. Definitely a lot of suspense and a great love story. I will definitely follow this author
    2 people found this helpful
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  • jmp
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Wonderful characters trying to make the best of serving in WWI. Lots of emotions but they get through it all. Highly recommended
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Top reviews from other countries

  • JB Johnston
    5.0 out of 5 stars wow!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    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!
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Australia on March 1, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    An excellent read as her books usually are, well written. I love it as I’ve got a connection with Jersey.
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  • christy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to let go
    Reviewed in Canada on January 1, 2023
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    Great book hard to put down
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  • Sandy
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a fabulous read.
    Reviewed in Australia on January 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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  • mv likes books
    4.0 out of 5 stars Opinions on book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Thiswas a very good book which incorporated information about the dreadful conditions soldiers had to endure in that war. Horrible.
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