Poppy is making her way as
best she can in service to the wealthy De Vere family. In the back of her mind, she harbors a secret fantasy that she and the
De Vere’s youngest son might have the starting spark of a romance. Given the class differences, this seems unlikely in the current climate.
But the Great War is changing things. Much
of the staff (and the family itself) is enlisting or finding ways to serve the
War effort.
While the idea had never occurred to her, Poppy (urged
by a former teacher) enrolls in the Voluntary Aid Detachment to serve as a
nurse. It’s hard work, but not so
different from being a maid and she takes to it. Meanwhile, Poppy can’t help but notice that the War is
changing social relationships as well, and she dares to hope that it could make
a romance with the De Vere boy possible.
A well-researched story of WW I by an established writer of
historical YA. With the general absence of
family and the independence that wartime brings, the book doesn’t have much of
a YA feel, but it proves fascinating nonetheless. Unfortunately, I found the romantic angle the
least effective part of the story. It serves a purpose (providing a dramatic arc in an otherwise slow-paced novel) but it really doesn't go anywhere. While apparently
not in the original plan, this story really needs a sequel to tie up all of the
loose ends (and so, a sequel there will be!). Poppy’s life is just
beginning. This first novel is fascinating, but slow reading.
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