1914. The First World War casts its shadow over seventeen-year-old Rosalie Wilkes’ idyllic life. Unwilling to sit idle, Rosalie lies about her age and signs up as a voluntary Red Cross nurse. Stationed at a hospital in Rouen, France, she has to face the consequences of modern warfare. Meanwhile, her fiancé and her brother are risking their lives on the ground and in the air.
Charles D’Aboville is forced to abandon his studies in Paris and become a junior officer. As such, he must lead men into battle and watch death reap more than its due. When Charles is wounded in an explosion, he is sent to Rouen to recover. There, a secret relationship begins to form. The war threatens to tear Charles’ and Rosalie’s lives to shreds. But might it instead make freedom possible?
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Quotes from Goodreads reviews:
A heart wrenching story of love, hope, hate, despair and war. The way this book is written makes you taste the mud and feel the cold. If you love historical romance, this one is for you.
/ Susanna
I love when a historical fiction feels effortlessly immersive, and this book was exactly that. It’s obvious the author extensively researched this period in history. The way it’s written in first person, mainly alternating between the points of view of Rosalie and Charles, makes me feel that I’m there with them. It’s a very detailed look at how war affected soldiers and volunteers, and the relationships that developed due to shared experiences. I also loved that this book didn’t just focus on WWI but also showed us what life was like before, during and after the war for those involved.
/ Amanda
A Generation of Poppies is superbly written. Its filled with historical detail, of life in the trenches and in the field hospitals. As sad and gruesome as it was, I found it absolutely fascinating. Ms Hillbom brought the war to life.
The author’s research and delivery of her story gives readers a glimpse of the harsh reality of war and it’s horrific affects on those involved. She has clearly done an awful lot of research about WW1 and that shines through in her writing.
In short, ‘A Generation of Poppies’ brings history and romance together in one beautiful and elegantly written novel.
Fans of historical fiction and war time romantic fiction will particularly enjoy this book but I would totally recommend it to all other readers.
/ Linda
Honestly, there aren’t many flaws to this book. It is a great starter to get into historical fiction and if you already like the genre it is the perfect book. It has an interesting and thought-provoking plot, lovable characters and a well-researched world. It is an epic tale of the duty to your country, love and honour. I recommend reading this book when it is released and look forward to reading more of Hillbom’s works.
/ Frey
For all the history and romance lovers, this book is the one for you.
/ Apurva
Saga Hillbom delivers a stunning WWI depiction in her novel A Generation of Poppies. The setting is realistic and makes you feel as though you were there in the trenches. The research is remarkable in this book. Hillbom has an amazing way with words.
/ Kimberly
This is the second edition of my debut novel.
Saga Hillbom 