It was OK and not what I expected. I'm fine with books not having any action, but this was such a slow read. The story takes place during WWI and WWII, but the fighting is only mentioned and very briefly. Pru and her fellow nurses take care of the soldiers, but only their injuries were mentioned. The story was very predictable. I kept wondering why it was called "The Beekeeper's War, " since the bees don't actually show up until a third of the way into the book and are such a minor part of the book. Pru and John love each other after only meeting a few times and hardly know each other. Why did Milly run back into the house? I would have enjoyed reading more about John while he was captured and how he tried to escape. I didn't love any of the characters and kept waiting for stuff to happen.

Definitely give the book a try, it just wasn't for me. I usually love historical fiction, but this was more a romance with talk about the Wars. I loved the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such an enjoyable story to read. Realistic characters making me feel I was part of the story. The tears were streaming down my face by the end and the conclusion was right up my street!

I’m unsure about this book, I neither loved or hated it, it was just ok. Written in two halves, the first set during World War I, the Second World War II. The first half reminded me of Downton Abbey when the Abbey was turned into a hospital; I enjoyed this part, although it felt longer/slower than the second. The second just seemed rushed somehow. The situation was believable and I liked the characters and setting.

Another fabulous book from Deborah Carr. Following young Pru a nurse during WW1 to older Pru at the beginning of WW2. Although from Jersey she travelled to England where she meets an American pilot. Romantic yet the author keeps you guessing the outcome so although it has its cheesy bits it’s a great book and I couldn’t put it down. Thanks to Deborah and her publishers One More Chapter. Thanks also to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

The Beekeeper's War follows the lives of a nurse and American pilot during WWI, then jumps forward to 1940 and the rumblings of WWII being brought to England. Decisions made 22 years earlier have repercussions when secrets come out later and change lives forever.

This was an enjoyable wartime novel with strong female characters that did a good job of transporting me into the story. I did feel like it ended a bit too abruptly, but otherwise, really enjoyed the story.

Thank you to Deborah Carr, One More Chapter and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

I can not express how fortunate I feel to have obtained and early copy of The Beekeeper's War. I am writing this review in hopes that others will find the story as touching and wonderful as I did. A few days have past and I still can't stop thinking about everything that happened in the story. The Beekeeper's War has left of lasting impression. It is a fantastic story that begins in World War One and ends as the Germans are invading the Island of Jersey in World War Two. Grab the tissues you are going to need them as you travel back in time to the horrors of war.

Part One takes place during World War One. I admit I have not read near as many books about that war as I have World War Two. I need to rectify that error. The atrocities that the British soldiers endured were heart wrenching. The struggles of those in England were extreme. The Ashburys putting up their home as a place to recover was inspirational. I never realized until I was checking facts that hundreds of Britain's stately homes were turned into makeshift hospitals during World War I.

Pru and Jean were nurses that worked in the makeshift hospital on the Ashbury estate. They were on their feet, working their fingers to the bone yet still found an escape--love. The author was brilliant in using their budding romances as a way to tie in the pilots fighting for Britain and what they went through. The reader experiences the torture inflicted on British soldiers and the strength of those like Pru and Jean that accepted them as they were.

In today's society, illegitimate children are not Shunned. Unwed mothers are not cast out into the unknown. During WW1 things were different. The Beekeeper's War illustrated one solution. I am not sure I would have the strength that Pru, Monty, Jean and Jack had to keep a secret for over 22 years. As the world faces another war; truths are exposed.

When I started Part Two I had to stop and look at the clock. I needed to know that I had enough time to read it straight through without interruptions. The suspense was killing me. There were so many ways that the story could have gone.

Truths were about to be brought into the light. The horrors of the Great War linger. As England prepares for invasion, bringing Pru to safety is all that matters. Promises had been kept but now it is time to tell a story that will change everything.

The Beekeeper's War was a very emotional read. The story grabbed my interest and didn't let go. Any book that makes me think is fantastic, but this book was phenomenal.

Having read Ms. Carr's previous book, I knew I'd be in for a treat, and so happily began this book. And what a book! So interesting - solid research into both beekeeping and WWII. (I learned about bees!). She is a fantastic author and I will keep recommending her books and can't wait for the next one!

A nurse meets a pilot during WW1 and they fall in love. The pilot goes off on his mission and is missing, presumed dead. The nurse marries and raises a daughter. During WW2, the daughter is of age to work and help for the war effort.

If you are expecting a 'war' book with plenty of action this is not it. If you love WW1 romantic novels set in Dorset this book is for you!

The book is set across across two timelines 1917 and 1940, Firstly, two young girls leave their Jersey homes to nurse injured soldiers in Ashborne Manor in Dorset Inevitably. they both fall in love, one with an American pilot and the other who just happens to inherit the Manor itself - if he survives.

This book tells their stories with family connections during WW2 and a beekeeper is involved. .

Not my sort of book at all, but I have to say it is well written and the author deals with the timeframes really well. That takes it from 3.5 to a 4 star rating.

Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins UK,One More Chapter for the chance to read and review.

Secrets and loss during World War 1 make for a story full of heartache, difficult discussions and emotion.
The story is about two nurses from Jersey who go to Dorset to take care of the wounded.
A intriguing and captivating book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

The Bee Keepers War is set in Dorset and is a story about love and hope .Written across two timelines 1917 and 1940 two young girls leave their Jersey homes to care for injured soldiers in Ashbourne Manor in Dorset .They both fall in love deeply one with Jack a pilot and one with Monty who is injured and this book tells their stories .I thought it was a lovely story full of emotion very well written .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

The Beekeepers war by Deborah Carr is a fabulous, thought-provoking read from the author that I really enjoyed and now will seek out the other books the author has read.
The story is set-in two-time periods, first at the start great war. Pru Le Cuirot lives in Jersey with her mother. When she decides that she wants to do her bit for the war. So, with her friend Jean Le Riche they train as nurses and finds themselves at stationed Ashbury manor in Dorset. Part of the manor has been turned into a hospital for the injured soldiers fighting for king and Country. The girls share a small room in the attic of the manor, fellow nurse Milly Denton.
The owners of the Manor Lord and Lady Ashbury have three sons, but the two older ones have already died fighting the cause. The youngest Son Montgomery a pilot returns injured. His parents at first started arranging him a private room but Montgomery wants to recover in the hospital ward with the fellow soldiers. They are all in it together after all. So, when Viscount has a visitor Captain Jack Garland there is an instant attraction between him and Pru. A relationship develops between them. But when Jack goes on a mission but is feared dead, Pru must make the most important decision of her life.
Thank you Harper One more Chapter for a copy of ‘The beekeepers war’ I really enjoyed this heart-breaking tale of love, loss and hardships during the war. I love the characters of Pru and Jack and how their relationship developed quite quickly I might add. But I suppose in them times that during the war you couldn’t ascertain how long you have with someone so spent every moment you can get with someone you love. This is a great story. I highly recommend. 5 stars from me.

I very much enjoyed this book. This is the first book I have read by this author.
Told from several different POV over a dual time line- fist WWI then WWII.. Basically a historical romance but done very well with well drawn characters. It's hard to imagine what it must have been like then for different classes, working women, women's rights although at the moment it feels like we are heading back to 1917 and 1939 but not in any good way.. The story flowed really well and I was keen to see how it all ended. Made a change, in a very good way from my usual reads and historical fiction is fast becoming a favourite genre

I hadn't read Deborah Carr before but I shall certainly look at her back catalogue after enjoying this one so much. I love war stories and this one covers WW1 and WW2 but in a story that spans the end of one and the start of the the second rather than being a 'hop back and forwards' book. It's a great story with some very believeable and likeable characters. And Durdle Door is one of my favourte places so the cover is a real draw - and beautiful. With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Set in Dorset and written in dual timelines, The Beekeeper's War is about effects of the two world wars, love, secrets, sorrow, choices and hope. Deborah Carr writes beautifully with an eye for detail. It only took a paragraph or two for me to become engrossed and immersed as I have done in the past with her other books.

In 1916, Pru nursed injured soldiers at Ashbury Manor, generously opened by its owners with the goal of easing soldiers' anguish in a beautiful environment. Suffering abounded and nurses often had difficulty remaining emotionally detached. Pru couldn't help but notice pilot Jack who came to visit his dear friend, a patient at the manor. Not long after falling in love, Jack disappeared, leaving Pru devastated. She is faced with difficult life-changing choices.

Later, in 1940, Pru's daughter Emma flees to Ashbury Manor for safety. She meets an unusual man, a beekeeper with secrets. She and her mother make discoveries which catch them unawares as they navigate the throes of war and what it means to be family.

My favourite aspect of the book is the beekeeping addition which always intrigues me as a nature lover. The historical details are wonderful, too. Though predictable, the story is an interesting one and is a wonderful escape. Historical Fiction readers ought to read this. It would also appeal to those who have yet to discover the joys of the genre.

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

I usually enjoy reading anything set during WWI or WWII. The fact that this book took place during both wars was intriguing to me. I appreciated the fact that the book was split in half between the timelines. When books jump back and forth constantly, it’s confusing and not as enjoyable. The book felt a little too overly dramatic with how fast people fell in love and were calling each other “darling”, etc. Not really my cup of tea. I would have preferred the falling in love to be slower, not instantly. It just didn’t feel realistic. Overall it was an okay read, but not all that interesting in the end.

Pru meets Jack while caring for his friend that was injured during the war. They become friends and soon find themselves falling in love.
The story was a little predictable but still very much enjoyable. It’s full of strong characters and kept my interest to the end.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Deborah Carr for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

This book is in 1 well defined parts in the two World Wars.

It is in essence the story of the mother's nursing life in a 'big house' in WW1 and the ramifications of her relationships of that time along with the horrors of the injuries of the Servicemen of the time. This then jumps to WW2 and tells of her daughter and how secrets never remain that way for long.

I really enjoyed this novel and couldn't wait to read more and often had a sneaky read when I should have been doing other things. It was well written and though there are many books of this genre and set in this time scale, this seemed a fresh viewpoint and hence kept me interested from beginning to end.

I will look out for other books by this author

Thank you again

This,is the first book that I have read from this author and I have not been disappointed. I enjoyed the way the story was set both in WW1 and WW2. It was interesting to not jump from one time to another as usually happens in such stories. Believable characters and a great feel good factor. Recommended.

At the beginning of The Great War, friends Pru Le Cuirot and Jean Le Riche leave Jersey and train to be nurses. Ashbury Manor, in Dorset has been turned into a military hospital and Pru and Jean share a room with fellow nurse Milly Denton. The hospital is busy with a steady stream of wounded, the men have terrible injuries and Pru dreads it when she's notified the ambulances are on the way.

Viscount Montgomery Ashbury is one of the wounded and he demands to be in a ward with his fellow soldiers. He’s visited by his best friend Canadian pilot, Jack Garland, and he’s a decorated war hero. Pru meets Jack, he’s good-looking and despite both not wanting to be in a romantic relationship during a war and they fall madly in love. Jack returns to France, Pru makes him promise not to take any chances, and he's sent on a dangerous mission and vanishes. After facing so many challenges and difficulties being a nurse during a war, Pru is forced to make a heartbreaking decision and a life changing one.

The Beekeeper’s Secret has a dual timeline and it’s set in England during The Great War and at the start of the Second World War.

With the threat of the Germans invading any day, Emma Le Riche leaves Jersey and her mother refuses to go with her. Emma stays in England with her Aunty Jean and Uncle Monty at Ashbury Hall and she’s very worried about her mum’s safety. She meets the manor's beekeeper, when her Aunty Jean visited them in Jersey she always bought jars of honey and it’s made by bees in the walled garden. Emma has no idea she’s about to discover a twenty year old secret, one that was kept for the best intentions and did the parties involved do the right thing?

I received a copy of the Beekeeper’s War from NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter in exchange for an honest review. You read about the First World War, the shocking injuries, daily tasks the nurses preformed, their interaction with the patients, how it was impossible for them not to form attachments and the consequences of their actions. Deborah Carr has written an outstanding and captivating book, about war, love, sacrifice, duty, loss and five big stars from me.