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Deborah Carr
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The Poppy Field: A gripping and emotional World War One historical romance Kindle Edition

by Deborah Carr (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 7,698 ratings

‘A beautiful, heartbreaking novel of war and loss and the resilience of the human spirit’ Rosemary, Netgalley Reader

The USA Today bestseller!

Young nurse, Gemma, is struggling with the traumas she has witnessed through her job. Needing to escape from it all, Gemma agrees to help renovate a rundown farmhouse in Doullens, France, a town near the Somme. There, in a boarded-up cupboard, wrapped in old newspapers, is a tin that reveals the secret letters and heartache of Alice Le Breton, a young volunteer nurse who worked in a casualty clearing station near the front line.

Set in the present day and during the horrifying years of the war, both women discover deep down the strength and courage to carry on in even the most difficult of times. Through Alice’s words and her unfailing love for her sweetheart at the front, Gemma learns to truly live again.

This epic historical novel will take your breath away.

Readers are falling in love with The Poppy Field:

‘Both heartbreaking and full of hope and happiness’ Pam, Goodreads

‘Exceptional’ Cassie’s Books

‘A beautifully written, highly enjoyable read’ Nicki’s Book Blog

‘One to watch’ Good Housekeeping

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  1. Print length
    402 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    One More Chapter
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    October 12, 2018
  6. File size
    1.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B079QG6L98
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ One More Chapter
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 12, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 402 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008301002
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 7,698 ratings

About the author

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Deborah Carr

Deborah Carr

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

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

4.3 out of 5 stars
7,698 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this historical romance engaging and well-written, appreciating how the two storylines come together. The book serves as an enthralling history lesson with accurate knowledge of the time period, and one customer notes its realistic portrayal of World War I nursing care. Customers describe it as heartwrenching, with one review highlighting the emotional recollection of past feelings and events.

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Story qualityRomanceWriting qualityInterestCharacter developmentHeartwarmingNursing knowledgeDifficulty to put down
291 customers mention "Story quality"291 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engaging and beautiful, appreciating the depth of the narrative and how the two storylines come together.

"This book is very intriguing With The contrast of a nurse from the WW1 was to ER nurse of today...." Read more

"This is a good but predictable story, which I don’t dislike in a romance, but as the book went on, a lot of grammatical and punctuation errors..." Read more

"...But can they? The book is very good and gives a very clear account of what life in the hospitals could have been during the war...." Read more

"The storyline in this book is good but not exactly new. Like many new writers today the narrative would suit a younger generation...." Read more

132 customers mention "Romance"113 positive19 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book, describing it as a beautiful story of love during both time periods, with one customer noting how love can happen during hard times.

"...lapses in editing & continuity do not distract too much from what is a sweet & absorbing story." Read more

"A very tender love story during a very nasty war...." Read more

"...I like books about relationships, and this book included not just some romance, but relationships between co-workers, nurses and patients, mothers &..." Read more

"...It's a sweet romance, that tracks the parallel lives of a modern trauma nurse, and a WWI Volunteer, in France...." Read more

82 customers mention "Writing quality"61 positive21 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as beautifully written and easy to read, with one customer noting the excellent word pictures.

"Loved this book! So beautifully written! Would love to see sequel to see Gemma’s and Tom’s life together! Thank you" Read more

"Such a lovely story! Nicely written, easy to read, this reader just craved to continue enjoying it until the last page was turned...." Read more

"...I cried for Alice and Ed. I was happy with the ending. I love the writing style using the letters to relay the story...." Read more

"...But, as with the other book, there were odd errors of syntax and punctuation, some of which were confusing but mostly just irritating...." Read more

69 customers mention "Interest"63 positive6 negative

Customers find the book engaging, describing it as an enthralling history lesson with accurate knowledge of the time period. They enjoy both the current day mystery and experiencing two time periods.

"The Poppy Fields is by Deborah Carr. This book mainly takes place in France during World War I. It mainly takes place at a forward transition..." Read more

"...Tragedy & triumph make this so real. 2018, another nurse arrives in France to renovate a farmhouse. What follows is so beautiful even though sad...." Read more

"...It was delight to read this gripping and sweet World War One historical story!..." Read more

"A really good story that kept my attention until the end! Going back and forth in time was at first a little daunting for me...." Read more

49 customers mention "Character development"49 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them captivating and well-portrayed, with one customer noting the nursing perspective of the heroine.

"...The characters were real.....the story memorable......one I won't forget! Thank you!" Read more

"A very tender love story during a very nasty war. The led characters come alive to you you do come to the conclusion on how things will end but in..." Read more

"...I cared about realistic characters. I would definitely recommend this book." Read more

"...The characters became friends quickly. I’m not as independent and brave as they were. I had to admire their strength...." Read more

47 customers mention "Heartwarming"47 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwrenching, with emotional recollections of past feelings and events, and one customer describes it as a tragic love story of war.

"...youngest of a family of twelve children who are very poor.. The sentiment is good except that being the youngest, her siblings would all be old..." Read more

"What a lovely, though somewhat sad story. Poppies, especially red ones are my favourite so this book appealed to me just by the title...." Read more

"...I felt emotionally invested and was sad to part ways with characters I’ve grown to love and root for...." Read more

"A very tender love story during a very nasty war...." Read more

18 customers mention "Nursing knowledge"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the nursing knowledge in the book, with reviews highlighting realistic descriptions of WWI medical care, long hours of tending to wounded soldiers, and the stress involved in their work.

"...This book describes the care of nurses and their volunteer helpers for the severely injured soldiers in France during WWi...." Read more

"...behind the front lines providing medical care and thoughtful compassion to the wounded soldiers!..." Read more

"...The descriptions of what the soldiers suffered was heart rending...." Read more

"...The stress and heartache of war, the long hours of caring for the wounded, the special bonds of the volunteers all made this book very good...." Read more

15 customers mention "Difficulty to put down"12 positive3 negative

Customers find the book very hard to put down.

"This book was was a very easy, entertaining storyline. Good characters and a good ending...." Read more

"...I really enjoyed reading it. It was hard to put down." Read more

"Simple and sweet love story. A very light and simple read. If you're looking for a light summer read, this book will do nicely." Read more

"...story in modern times, however, was, in my mind, unnecessary and tedious...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Gloria
    5.0 out of 5 stars WW1 comes to life with the caretaker nurses
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book is very intriguing With The contrast of a nurse from the WW1 was to ER nurse of today. You love the characters in this story with their strengths & problems. A book by an author who has me interested in more of her writings!
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  • Dailydabber
    4.0 out of 5 stars What Happened.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This is a good but predictable story, which I don’t dislike in a romance, but as the book went on, a lot of grammatical and punctuation errors became a distraction. Early in the story, Tom was injured by an “IUD” instead of an IED. Some editing would make this a very good book.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • P. Blevins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such a beautiful story; but a tear-jerker!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The Poppy Fields is by Deborah Carr. This book mainly takes place in France during World War I. It mainly takes place at a forward transition center where doctors and nurses care for the wounded soldiers. The Sisters (Nuns) make up the nursing staff and are helped by volunteers from France and England. These young girls have volunteered to do their best for the cause and were uprooted from their homes to come to France. Here they live under very strict rules of conduct and even their letters are read by the Matron before being given to them. Letters are generally permitted only from family members. They are not to interact with the patients nor grow too close to them. They are constantly watched by the Sisters. Still, they manage make friends. It also takes place in the present when Gemma takes a leave from her job as a nurse and comes to the cottage owned by her Father to renovate it and get it ready to sell. It had belonged to her Father’s cousin whose Mother had been a nurse in the area years before.
    Gemma needed a rest from her job as a trauma nurse. She needed to decide which direction her life would take upon her return. She was used to being alone so the isolation of the small farm didn’t bother her. Her parents were professionals and her birth was “an accident”. She saw her parents rarely when she was growing up and although they cared for her, it was almost an afterthought. However, when she needed a place to go, her Father gave her the responsibility of getting the unseen farm renovated and read for the market. She needed someone to do the heavy work and hired Tom, an Englishman who had moved here. He was willing and able to help her between his other jobs and his price was fair. During the time she renovates the house and outbuildings, Tom is usually the only one she talks to. She finds a metal box of letters that belonged to her ancestor, Alice Le Breton. Alice had written them to Lieutenant Peter Conway and Captain Edgar Woodhall. Who were these men? Why was she writing to both of them? What was her life like? What happened to her? Gemma had many questions and the only possibility of answers was in the letters.
    Alice Le Breton’s life in France is revealed via these letters with their notes on the backs. A young girl from the island of Jersey, she had set out to be a volunteer nurse and go where she was needed. She ended up in a transition camp in France to help the wounded get their best shot at surviving. She and her friend Mary work long hours helping the wounded; but they are the first to grow attached to their patients. Only sorrow can come from being attached to their patients or to the doctors, so they try to steer clear of those attachments. But can they?
    The book is very good and gives a very clear account of what life in the hospitals could have been during the war. The opposition of what it is like in the hospital to what it is like at the farm is the best I have heard in a while.
    34 people found this helpful
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  • JB
    3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The storyline in this book is good but not exactly new. Like many new writers today the narrative would suit a younger generation. It almost felt that the writer was a teenager herself with silly teenage thoughts about romance.
    A young nurse returns home to Jersey on leave from war torn France as her mother is unwell. She is pleased to see that in her absence her mother has employed a young girl to help around the house. She is the youngest of a family of twelve children who are very poor.. The sentiment is good except that being the youngest, her siblings would all be old enough to work too easing the burden on the family. A little more explanation would have made it more interesting. It felt that it was added just to add substance.
    A young Captain is injured during a raid on the hospital and is taken to surgery to have a 'SLITHER' of wood removed. A snake slithers. The word is 'SLIVER.
    And finally, I know it is a term used a lot these days and its origins are possibly Australian but I find it strange to think of a young soldier delivering post in 1918 saying , 'No worries.'
    One person found this helpful
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  • Judy Donohoo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book! Highly recommend
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this book! So beautifully written! Would love to see sequel to see Gemma’s and Tom’s life together! Thank you
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  • Mnurse
    4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely historical romance.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Two women, both nurses, separated by a hundred years but with so very much in common - especially the trauma of dealing with young lives cut much too short. As Gemma struggles to come to terms with the loss of a love, she immerses herself in revamping an old cottage in the French countryside. It's there that she discovers a treasure trove of letters written by Alice, a nurse in WWI. The more she works - & reads - the more she learns about life & about herself, including whether the handsome young builder who's helping her has any place in her future.. Some annoying lapses in editing & continuity do not distract too much from what is a sweet & absorbing story.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Norma Den 🇿🇦
    5.0 out of 5 stars Poppies for Rembering
    Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2024
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    What a lovely, though somewhat sad story. Poppies, especially red ones are my favourite so this book appealed to me just by the title. WW1, 2016 France. A young volunteer nurse is working on the edge of the war zone. Tragedy & triumph make this so real. 2018, another nurse arrives in France to renovate a farmhouse. What follows is so beautiful even though sad. However the links between the two stories make this a marvellous book.
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  • karnerbutterfly
    4.0 out of 5 stars This author needs better proofreaders.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I liked this story much better than "Broken Faces" (which was populated with characters too unwilling to consider their hasty judgments might be wrong). This story's two plot lines, set 100 years apart, followed characters willing to grow beyond current circumstances. But, as with the other book, there were odd errors of syntax and punctuation, some of which were confusing but mostly just irritating. I had hoped that, not being the author's first book, there would have been less of that. Unfortunately, this was not the case. I'm not sure I'm willing to give her a third chance to get it right.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Sandy Barker
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful dual narrative
    Reviewed in Australia on December 22, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Deborah Carr has written a beautiful dual narrative where our heroines, Alice and Gemma, share intriguing threads of their lives, even though those lives are 100 years apart.

    I longed for both to find love and happiness.
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  • Libby
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in Canada on February 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Thoughly enjoyed book A touching love story with a mystery touch .As I read I could picture the horrible conditions añd ten flash forward to the farmhouse Reno taking place.As I'm a believer in fate this story touched on that very thought A good book to curl up with
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  • gretagarbo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 12, 2025
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    What a lovely story.. has captured the very essence of war and the bravery of young girls as VAD's during that terrible time in our history. Also alongside that, a beautiful love story which stretched on into years later another couple who found love. Beautifully written
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  • Pamela J
    4.0 out of 5 stars Tenderly written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 11, 2019
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    The story has an underlying message of love and compassion shining, with a struggle, through the awfulness of the First World War. We use the poppy in remembrance. What we are remembering though is indescribably more than the act of the death of young men and women in war and in our name. That came over as unspoken but well in this book. We remember their lives and the consequences of both their lives and death and we learn from them. There is far more than that as well. We change ourselves and our futures because of remembering.
    One last thing for the author who mentioned Lord Kitchener.
    He was drowned in 1916 as the result of enemy attack. Therefore her reference to him may need a correction.
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  • Sandy
    5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly enjoyable read
    Reviewed in Australia on December 18, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I do love dual timeline stories, and this one did not disappoint. Set near the battlefields of France during World War I and present day, this story is filled with coincidences separated by 100 years.
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