This is the story of sisters separated by war. The youngest sister is sent to London to stay with her aunt and endures the bombings while the older sister stays on the island with her grandmother that the Germans invade and occupy.

Lovers of historical fiction are sure to enjoy this moving wartime story set on the beautiful Channel Islands. The resilient and likeable heroine, tension-filled plot and exotic setting all make this a great read.



The story begins dramatically when Estelle's father is killed by Germans at the dock. Estelle has to deal with the death of her father and her beloved little sister being away in England suffering in the Blitz, with only the help of her grandmother. Not only this, but her boyfriend becomes a POW. Now she and her grandmother are forced to live with a German Captain at their farm. Unfortunately, this young and handsome German can be quite chivalrous, and Estelle can't help feeling attracted to him as wartime restrictions grow ever harder and tighter...



This was an excellent novel, although I am a bit tired of reading about women having feelings for men on the enemy side, and I look forward to reading more of Deborah Carr's novels.



I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Fantastic insight to ww2 in jersey. Loved the characters and the whole twist of the whole story.
In ww2 the Germans occupied Jersey this story tells of a family reduced by the violence and hardships faced during this time. This was very well written and a great curl up with a cuppa and get lost in the story.
Highly recommended

Estelle Le Maistre is holding back the tears when she takes her twelve year old sister Rosie to the boat that will take her to safety in England, and she’s one of the lucky ones to leave Jersey. The English government decided the Channel Islands are of no strategic importance, they wouldn’t defend them and the Germans have no idea. Estelle stayed behind to help on her family’s farm, her grandmother Marnie Woods is getting older and they grow vital crops.

When the Germans arrive in Jersey, the locals are terrified and they immediately start enforcing new rules. A strict curfew, all weapons must be handed in, clocks are moved one hour forward, food is rationed and fishing is banned. Estelle and her Gran assume they should be fine on the isolated farm, until they have to billet a German Wehrmacht Officer and Captain Hans Bauer moves in. Now they feel like they can’t relax in their own home, talk freely and it’s odd having a German sleeping under the same roof.

Rosie is living in England with her Aunt Muriel, to cope with her homesickness her Aunt gives her a diary and in this she writes her thoughts and feelings. Muriel is a lovely lady, Rosie finds London big and crowded. The Blitz starts, night after night they endure the terrible bombing, devastation and get no sleep. Rosie misses her family, she just wants the war to end and so she can return home.

As time goes on life in Jersey becomes harder, items like clothes and shoes can’t be replaced and basic necessities are no longer available at the local shops. The German soldiers are everywhere on the island, it’s rather intimidating for the residents and it get worse. People are deported, Russian slaves arrive to help reinforce the defences along the coast, food and firewood become scarce, the locals and the Germans are cold and hungry. You realize the Germans are suffering as well, many are regular men, forced to serve in the army and not career soldiers.

An Island at War is inspired by real stories from author Deborah Carr’s own family who were living on Jersey during the occupation and in London during the Blitz. It’s a story about war, deprivation, brutality, inhumanity, courage and survival. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, a unique WW II story and four stars from me.

Nazi Occupation of the Channel Isles in WWII
This is a fictional account of living through the Nazi Occupation of the Channel Island of Jersey. The story addresses all of the hardships that were endured through the eyes of a young woman and her grandmother. The account remains historically accurate while taking literary license in making some Nazi officers, stone-throwers, and camp followers seem more palatable. This is a very good story that I couldn't put down. The reader becomes invested in so many of the characters that you just want it to all turn out alright. I will be checking out other works by this author. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

An Island at War by Deborah Carr is World War II Historical Fiction. A heartbreaking family story with strong characters set in the channel island of Jersey. It was interesting to read that the first things the Nazi‘s implemented was to disarm the people using various techniques. Typical socialist trademarks of control restricting movement with curfews, taking guns and ammunition and taking custody of anyone who can resist. Various other methods to demoralize and subjugate were also used. I loved this book and hope the author will write more stories about Estelle, Rosie and Hans.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

An Island at War is fiction based on fact. The author grew up on Jersey and had relatives that lived through the German occupation. Ms. Carr does a good job recreating conditions, hardships, fear, horrors, bravery, the unexpected, and especially the emotions of her characters. If you are a fan of WWII stories be sure to add this one to your library. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.

I am torn about this book. I liked the characters a lot and the writing was well done. The beginning of the book was really strong. It sucked me write into the story and was full of emotion, but for me after that wonderful beginning the story fizzled out.

There just isn’t much happening for the rest of the story. It is a lot of going to the store, working at the farm and an german officer staying at the house. And I felt the story needed a more emotional ending, maybe an epilogue.

Set mostly on German-occupied Jersey in the 1940s, this superbly-written novel tugged my heart like crazy. The author has such a lovely way with words, reminding me of a beautiful orchestra. As an islander herself she listened to others describe their lives during this time. The historical details fit in so seamlessly, not a word out of place. It is the epitome of the perfect book.

Sisters Estelle and Rosie are heartbreakingly separated out of necessity, Rosie to the mainland and Estelle remained at home with her beloved grandmother in Jersey. From the Blitz and fishing bans to queues and rationing, we read about their lives during this horrendous time. Secrets are kept...how well do you know people? There is also a focus on Nazi soldiers' perspectives which is fascinating and unique. We are reminded of the preciousness of life and the capacity of humankind, cruelty and compassion.

Don't miss the author's notes and information in the back. One can learn so much from them. Historical Fiction, General Fiction and Women's Fiction readers, do not hesitate to pick this up! Though the subject is difficult, it is important to learn about history and how people survived unbearable conditions.

My sincere thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this incredible book.

This is first time read by Deborah Carr new author to this reader. I typically shy away from these types of novels as my emotions get too involved in the content. So once in a while I take the plunge with reading this type of genre. With that being said, I am grateful to experience this wonderfully written story that was very emotional and told a tale of the lives of those who lived in the Channel Islands during WWII.

It is a riveting story of young Estelle and her grandmother who are on the Isle of Jersey and captions of their lives told by her little sister Rosie within her diary from London. This was a well-written story that had many facets of the characters played out on the pages under German rule. It was hard to put down this book as the historical aspect was very enlightening and worth knowing. I can’t say much more on this novel except that is a must read and I highly recommend. Would love to audiobook if this will be an option in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

With grateful thanks to Deborah Carr and One chapter for an early copy in return for an honest opinion,
Firstly I would like to say what an amazing journey, what the people of Jersey and Gurnsey went through during the occupation its a harrowing read at times, Esteile has taken on the role looking after herself and her grandmother her sister Rosie is in London staying with her aunt for saftey. life takes on a very different pace food in short supply a German solider living in there house its a book written with feeling and atmosphere you want to hold breath at times and hope the hurt will go away I read this book in one sitting it was totally mesmerising, I can't praise this book enough and highly recommend.

This is an emotional and poignant tale of life on the Channel Islands during WWII. The story centres around a young woman, Estelle and her Grandmother who are on the Isle of Jersey with alternate chapters being entries in the diary of her little sister Rosie who is in London.

The author did a magnificent job of creating many of these characters and I’m telling they story of these British citizens that were deserted by their military, living the war under German rule. This is a part of history I didn’t know. Using this setting enabled the author to create a different book than most WWII books that seem to take place in Germany or London.

I thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this book. A must read for historical fiction fans.

An Island at War by Deborah Carr is a great WWII-era historical fiction that was gripping, fascinating, and unique. I really enjoyed it.

This book gives the reader a glimpse of what the occupation of Jersey (within theChannel Islands) was like during the years of Nazi occupation. For some reason, I am totally fascinated by the Islands and their respective experiences during WWII. This is the first book that I have read in a while that not only included them, but also was based on true stories of the author’s family.

The book has the traditional narrative of mystery, suspense, romance, and historical facts placed within, yet with the knowledge of the author’s family and inspirations, it makes it even more harrowing and intriguing. I appreciate the Author’s willingness to present her family’s difficulties during wartime.

A great read for anyone that enjoys WWII fiction.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and One More Chapter for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

During WWII, the Island of Jersey was occupied by the Nazis for five years. This novel, based on the author's great grandmother is a moving story of one family's life during the occupation. I loved the way the London story was told through the younger sister, Rosie's journal. This gave readers meaning of what it was like to be sent away during the occupation. Estelle, left on the island alone with her grandmother after her father's death was heartbreaking. Essie proved to be a very strong person with the cards she was dealt. I also liked the portrayal of Hans, a German that didn't necessarily agree with what his country was doing. Recommended!

Estelle's father is killed when the Nazis attack the port on their small island. Her little sister Rosie has been sent to London to live with their aunt in the thinking that it will be safer for her there. Estelle and her grandmother must manage their farm alone and then Hans, a Nazi shows up their door, having been assigned to board with them. Life on the island is balanced with letters from Rosie. If I have a quibble, it's that Rose's prose is far too advanced for someone her age but the letters provide a nice balance to the story. Estelle discovers there's more to Hans than meets the eye and that there's more to Gran than she previously knew. This sweeps from the invasion through the end of the war. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Fans of the WWII novel will appreciate this for it look into a seldom explored part of the WWII homefront. And, don't miss the afterword.

This is such an emotional read and learning it was based partly on the author’s family experiences and home really brought it home to me. To have to live through the Nazi occupation of Jersey and the Channel Islands must have been so terrible for the islanders, and Deborah Carr has done a brilliant job of sensitively showing the trials and horrors of war. I loved reading about the strength and resilience shown Estelle and her gran and the compassion shown by all sorts of characters.

I’m a fan of WWII novels and I love reading about the different areas and people that were affected during that time. In this novel, we learn about the channel island of Jersey and their 5 year Nazi occupation. Estelle and her grandmother need to find the courage to withstand the hardships and having a Nazi captain billet with them. You mostly get Estelle’s POV but there are sections with her little sister Rosie’s diary entries. It was a good story that spanned five years but because it did, I felt that you really didn’t get the full story of all that happened. Every WWII novel shocks me in some way and makes me sad. The first two chapters made me cry, which doesn’t surprise me. The only thing I really didn’t like was the ending. I think that could have been done differently and with a lot more emotion than what was delivered.

Anyone who likes The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will enjoy the setting of this book. The Channel Islands were invaded by the Nazis during WWII, and the children were evacuated to England for their protection. This book is based on the author's family history (which makes it doubly interesting) and what happens throughout the occupation. I really liked the characters, the author does a good job at developing the different personalities of the sisters, and the different experiences they endure during their separation. All in all, a good read.