I am always excited to read the adventures of protagonists to women who are closer to my age. These are real life gritty stories, and as we grow olderI am always excited to read the adventures of protagonists to women who are closer to my age. These are real life gritty stories, and as we grow older and wiser, they seem to be told with a rare and complete up your bum, this is how it is vibe. I find this to be so refreshing, relatable and solid. A ‘real’ story, yes a memoir but it is more. Jo seems to be able to cut through the bulls!$t and just says it. My observation is we understand ourselves more, what we witness from others to be unacceptable is more astute, and our treatment of these people even more so.
I am continually surprised at the calibre of writing that I am encountering when reading about relationships ending at this stage of life. Having just read Loving My Lying, Dying, Cheating Husband which shows similarities, the ability to not only pick oneself up from a hard event, but to then translate this to the page with quality and readability is commendable.
The author tells her story of a tumultuous relationship, your typical push pull angsty and twisty from the get-go. This was his second marriage, and the way we see him smash it to bits after 25 years was awful. Clearly seeing this man as some kind of sociopath (perhaps I’m judging too harshly) but as the story unfurls, we see his actions from day dot, and the way Jo begins to realise this circumspectly, we rejoice with her as she accepts this man is a complete dud.
Her friends knew this was the case, controlling her in a quiet way which I think was not always obvious, uninterested in the deeper parts of Jo the person, the stories she told about his complete disinterest were very sad. Jo was the main bread winner, he had not surprisingly retired early while she kept working in a wonderful business she built from the ground up. What did he do here? He went for all he could get their final scene together as galling as always.
Jo is upfront, funny, and quite self-effacing, the dating stories humorous and realistic, and her quest to find a new partner equally as candid and real. This book is extremely relatable as I age; this relatability need not be for women who are cast aside by uncaring spouses, it relates to all parts of women’s self-esteem, relationship issues, ageing, and finding your feet. This was a refreshing read.
With many thanks to Text Publishing for my physical copy to read and review....more
Sometimes a book comes along and the reader thinks 'how'. I always appreciate the craft of collating a fictional story, but right now I am quite in awSometimes a book comes along and the reader thinks 'how'. I always appreciate the craft of collating a fictional story, but right now I am quite in awe of what I have just read. My reviews are often long, I don't know why, I tend to just talk a lot. This doesn't need to be the case this time around, in keeping with themes of scarcity.
This book developed the opposite feelings of saying too much. A beautifully crafted book, gently told without fanfare. Lyrical prose that seemed to skim along the surface, lots of content weighing heavily, yet not heaped in a way that is too much to bear, an immeasurable suffering in a man involved in something so sad that he would put himself through much torment.
The serious story unfurls without pace, this man who is punishing himself for living while he encounters all kinds of kindness as he runs.
A split second incident to change the lives of two remaining people, with other encounters telling more stories of the human psyche and the way this man interacts with these folk. I loved this man, the humans he collided with on his journey, and the haunting feel which has definitely captured my heart.
When a writer produces a debut that reads as a seasoned piece of literature. That's all I've got to say.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library, excellent narration by Cameron Goodall....more
I do not read a lot of romance, and I’m always very happy when it turns out to be a great choice. This was one a very easy and engaging read as instanI do not read a lot of romance, and I’m always very happy when it turns out to be a great choice. This was one a very easy and engaging read as instantly gelled with the characters. Set in Sydney, this was a relatable and realistic story with the unexpected and welcome addition of the MC being in the military. Drew is a Naval pilot and all-round nice guy. Georgie lives next door, running a company called the Pool Chicks, the perfect job of pool cleaning all around Sydney, unafraid to get her hands dirty.
These two are drawn to each other, but as Georgie is married, this is weaved in sensitively as they navigate the tension from both sides. Why is she always grumpy and mean? The ending seemed to be a little sudden to me, leaving me with one unanswered question – I wasn’t sure if I’d completely missed something along the way!
Georgie’s husband is not a good guy, his only redeeming quality being his work as a surgeon and volunteering his skills overseas pro bono, but that’s where the positives end. It raises the question as to how these two end up married in the first place, but we do see Georgie’s growth as the story progresses.
I enjoyed the letter aspect which featured, a refreshing bonus in this era of emails and texts messages, adding an extra layer to the growing emotions of those far away from the ones they love.
Drew’s dog is Mal is gorgeous, he’s the perfect match maker as Georgie unexpectedly embraces her neighbour’s fun-loving dog. This book comes with a trigger warning for animals which is almost It is hard to apply without spoilers – I read a review and knew straight away what the outcome was. So please don’t read this if you have sensitivities toward animals.
The banter and easy-going relationships between Georgie and Drew is contagious making for an easy flowing light hearted read. This does end neatly, welcomed by me as I read a lot of heavy nonfiction. This really hit the spot. As this is the author’s debut, I am interested to look further into Gabriella Margo’s further work as this was a well written and engaging read.
Many thanks to the author for my signed copy to read and review....more
I think I read this at the right time. Age shouldn't matter (all this relates to me, others may have differing opinions of course), but I have been feI think I read this at the right time. Age shouldn't matter (all this relates to me, others may have differing opinions of course), but I have been feeling it, lately, so Tilda in her funny ways showed me some things.
Tilda is no longer married, her ex isn't the greatest guy, and never really was. She's learned by now that ever since they met, she conformed to his way, in all ways.
She has her own freedom now, loves her kids immeasurably, but strange things are happening. She is disappearing. My assumptions before going into this book were these feelings of Tilda's invisibility were metaphorical, but they are not. Slowly but surely parts of her body are being removed, starting small with her pinky.. but she realises with horror these are not remaining small.
My dislike for realism needed to take a back seat to really enjoy the book and take advantage of the takeaway lessons as this book provides them in abundance.
Tilda spirals internally (I see her wacky and it is endearing to me), she's been feeling unseen forever. She knows her business is successful, that's not an issue, she sells inspirational merchandise of all things! - but does she live by this in any way?
Eternally witty, admirably smart and clever, will she see what others see, or will she allow herself to drown and disappear forever?
This debut is immensely clever. Drawing on Tilda's internal dialogue who she has named Pearl, we see that if she doesn't quickly start seeing herself for the worthy woman she is, she will not be around in the psychical sense much longer for others to see. This is a highly original story, which is not delivered with anything other than skill and an immense amount of originality.
I've rounded this from 3.5 to 4 stars as I don't warm to any amount of magical realism, but the ingenious way of threading the issue of ageing women feeling unseen to the physical aspect is extraordinary.
This books status as a debut adds an extra level of WOW! Another great insight for me was the idea of meditation. I’ve known forever that this could help. It helped Tilda, and it also helped Jane Tara as discussed in her author’s note.
I listened to this on the BorrowBox platform via my public library....more
This debut was remarkably well written. I was on a zoom book club meeting where the author discussed her work and her way of writing, and her researchThis debut was remarkably well written. I was on a zoom book club meeting where the author discussed her work and her way of writing, and her research. I was quite taken that this was her first piece of work. This book discusses the times of 1987, and I felt like I was there. References to the clothes, the food, the music, and the thought processes of teenagers and being in high school. It was all so real.
The story goes back and forth between these more (seemingly) innocent times of the 80’s to the more current of 2018. It is tragic circumstances in both periods, two young women losing their lives, on the cusp of womanhood. One death being accounted for, and the disappearance of Tess in 1987 still being unsolved. Both narratives reek of the common themes of toxicity, gendered violence, the rights of women and the privilege of the wealthy.
Small town and crime are always a good mix, so if you like this combination you will not be left wanting. 2018 brings us a mother mourning the loss of her daughter. Katherine cannot get past the loss and finds herself involved in the historical society, which brings her to the 1987 case of Tess. Unhappy with the interest his wife is showing here, I quickly realised there was more to this than meets the eye.
He is not the only one to be pressuring Kathleen to drop this interest, Kathleen is adamant to have a remembrance of the disappearance of Tess and Tess’s family could not be happier. The plan is to stir memories of this awful case and to even find answers.
Movements become sinister as the story slowly unfolds, causing much guess work and a good dose of manipulative characters. The town of Lowbridge is shrouded in secrecy, and simmers in the secrets of the past. This mix is effective and makes for an atmospheric Australian crime novel in a rural locale.
Well narrated by Anthea Greco which I listened to via the BorroBox platform and my public library. ...more
I have a funny story about my road to reading this book. It jumped out at me straight away, so I headed to my library. It was available but not on theI have a funny story about my road to reading this book. It jumped out at me straight away, so I headed to my library. It was available but not on the shelf. I, and a distant library colleague (she worked there, I don’t) were doing this quiet walk around seeing if it was being held in the hands of a current user. Not sure if it was unobtrusive. No luck. Then a regular was borrowing a whole bunch at the self-checkout (he returns books quickly, I was assured). Another quick scan of the shelves, the recent returns where another staff member was sure she saw it. No luck, a reserve placed. I was almost home when I did a U-turn after a follow up phone call, it had been found. Along the way (not even sure when) I also bought the book and ended up listening to the audio. You would think I’d be a little more organised than this. This little story may convey my affection for Hera in a small way.
I loved it. Hera, young and unsettled, has gone through university (what else to do, right?), completely uninspired and not at all keeping up with her friends. No career, no aspirations to do more. Nothing depresses her more than the trudge of work, repeat. She does find herself in an uninspired position, eventually. Every word the author selects is not wasted. Disastrous job interviews, delicious internal dialogue, insights befitting a weary more seasoned life traveller than her early years.
Witty, deadpan, completely uninhibited in thought and speech. All delivered in a text that appears to have been written by an established author, one I would group with the echelon of esteemed and experienced Australian women writers twice her age. Age doesn’t have anything to do with it really, what I’m saying is there is an insight I am thoroughly impressed with.
Hera, and Madeleine Gray has approached a young, chaotic, and unmoored life leading to an obsessive love and awareness so profound I was quite simply taken with. She has gotten into the head of someone so troubled yet with self-awareness, that I was just gunning for the whole way, wanting her to find her feet. I’ve been where she’s been, the author has written something I resonate with which adds more depth to my experience. This was a complete success for me, a credible and intricate story of a woman’s struggle, an absorbing read.
But what is lust if not if not generosity persevering. I wanted him to be what I needed, and so that is what he became.
The bar is Mexican themed, staffed by white students. Obviously.
I understand why people start wars. I understand why people blow up their lives. If the choice is this or not this I will destroy everything else, every time.
I am not at all surprised a manuscript such as this was snapped up immediately for release into the world. Well done, this is so different and poignant....more
This edition is a rerelease of the author's debut novel, originally published 2009, with a gorgeous cover more fitting 2023. The story itself though lThis edition is a rerelease of the author's debut novel, originally published 2009, with a gorgeous cover more fitting 2023. The story itself though lacks a modern feel. A different type of book about a bookshop, there are MANY threads popped into this story which makes it quite busy, and a little crowded.
Helen's marriage is crumbling, her husband is a hoarder and she's had enough. The story moves along to the neighbouring couple, who themselves have their own domestic problems, Astrid is her friend so invites her to live with them.
Helen stumbles into making an underhanded deal to buy a crumbling store, her sons have returned to the fold at the same time. One helps her in the store, and the other helps his father attempt to lessen the junk pile at home.
There are many lies and many points of dysfunction, to the point the reader finds it all a little unbelievable. I'm a reader who prefers to like the protagonist, and I didn't like Helen. She judged people's reading habits; she judged people. Although as the story went on she tried to change this.
Sadly though, his choice of science fiction seemed characteristic of his generation and type. Helen determined that the young man needed re-educating.
Fornicating no doubt, breeding more children of a romantic persuasion. Was there no shame? She sneered at the cheap paperbacks, a shabby lot which remained shy beneath her judgemental eye.
The harshness of Helen made the tone a harsh one to the book in general. This isn't a soft book, the characters are flawed and marriages all breaking, the folk quite unhappy. The characters did not seem real to me, perhaps written in a voice older for their age.
Other readers may enjoy this more than I, this is a contemporary read, leaving me feeling quite sad for all of the characters. A good point to note here is that the protagonist isn't young and beautiful, she is a more mature age which is always refreshing!
With my thanks to @freemantlepress for a physical copy of this very pretty book....more
Goodreads stole my review. Of course I'll never get it back. I had a personal connection to this story, in a very round about way. It peeves me off sillyGoodreads stole my review. Of course I'll never get it back. I had a personal connection to this story, in a very round about way. It peeves me off silly things happen in this Amazon esque bottish kind of way. Ugh. How do you recreate the words, and so many nice friends had nice things to say. The end of the world, no, but as I don't do any social media apart from here, my reviews and my books are important to me. Good on you, Goodreads. Or as I saw somewhere, Good dreads.
I have been remiss in not updating this to thank Allen & Unwin for my physical copy to read and review. I was too intent on being cranky with GR....more
I really enjoyed this! Such an easy read and this is always important given my busy lifestyle. It was a little laggy in parts, but for the majority I I really enjoyed this! Such an easy read and this is always important given my busy lifestyle. It was a little laggy in parts, but for the majority I truly embraced it. A wonderfully creative debut, full of quirk, uniqueness and spirit. And a little profanity and cheekiness, too.
Our main girl, council employee Lorrie, is cruising along with her life. Or so she thinks! To strive and be brilliant is not her cuppa, but she does feel deserving of a few things. Certainly not fame or being a CEO, she is ok with mediocracy. Deeply loving her husband and children, she is a little shitty that being fat (as she often calls it in her blunt, but seemingly funny manner) gets in the way, and dazed about not getting a promotion. She was passed over. She has the skills. She deserved it. This leads to a hilarious and complete meltdown (the author is very funny with her words), Lorrie is undemandingly funny, and very smart. Does she have to commit her life to work, she thinks not, is not working to live enough? She makes many good points to her boss in her frazzled way, but this does not help. She spirals further and further into a hole of her own making.
This day seems to be all downhill from here, the job rejection, some kind of weird thing with her best friend, an ex-boyfriend on the scene involved with the council event taking place on this crazy day, a dozen too many drinks and taking up smoking again. Unhinged is definitely the word!
I didn’t love her final choice in relation to work, nor did I like her best friend – Alex was a strange one indeed, but this didn’t matter. Lorrie’s zaniness, her complete and utter lack of regard for correctness and a nice relationship with her work guy was refreshing. She was naughty but crazily honest. This was fun and silly and serious too. An excellent debut; sharp, funny and entertaining. I flew through it, and of late I have not had a lot of time for physical books. It was a very easy and satisfying read, highly recommended.
With my thanks to @betterreadingau, and of course Text Publishing, for my physical copy to read and review. I think this author may be going places. I hope the book doesn't stay as an unhidden gem, and that it does flourish out there in the reading world!...more
This was a well written debut, with a definite literary fiction vibe.
Love-great love, as Jude would say-has a way of seeming both miraculous and inThis was a well written debut, with a definite literary fiction vibe.
Love-great love, as Jude would say-has a way of seeming both miraculous and inevitable.
An unamed protagonist (not sure why, really.. because she could?) spent a summer at a beach, post uni graduation. She meets a man, the abovementioned Jude, and she falls in love. He is older, and they spend the honeymoon period in a state of love/lust. This is described to us in an academic, break it down to the reasons why, how did our pasts shape us kind of way.
Jude was never committed, and the unamed woman wanted more. She reflected on her life a lot, allowed her old life to disappear while she headed down south to commute to the beach where Jude lived. It was, to me, a lacklustre love, where they went through the motions. She, a bit clingy, he a bit rude in his flippancy. I wasn't sure how she could be so enamoured.
I didn't connect with these characters, I read to finish the book with no compulsion. I'm disappointed I felt no more for this as I realise the author wrote with thoughts of her own upbringing in mind.
I stumbles across the audio version, and have to say the author's voice was great. It is not always the case an author should narrate their own book, but this was not one of them.
With my thanks to Allen & Unwin for my physical advanced review copy. ...more
Often I will read a book due to its New York setting, and this was one of those times. The audio was a great experience, with the many characters easiOften I will read a book due to its New York setting, and this was one of those times. The audio was a great experience, with the many characters easily discernible. I do believe audio narration is an art, and I love when the performer gets it right. Marin Ireland, well done!
The Stockton family are wealthy, of the old money kind. Each sibling is well presented, as are the parents and the spouses. The WASP ideal was evident and named many times. Each sibling has their own ideas about parenthood, employment, their privilege, their place in society, what to do with their wealth, and how to go about the marital prenup. This is serious stuff when these guys are seriously wealthy.
I thought I may become frustrated if the territory meandered into snobbish territory, but surprisingly it did not. The tennis loving matriarch had her moments, she didn’t seem overly interested in her children, and cheekily lied on her newsletter style Christmas update espousing the generosity of their grandparental duties. They didn’t babysit!
Georgiana, the youngest, fell in love with the wrong person with hard consequences, leading her to question her insane wealth and desire to do something good by it. She did not even know what her bank balance was, or check her statements.
Sascha married in, she was not poor, she was middle class, she literally had to explain this to the family, and again, she seemed remarkably able to do so without losing it. Class clearly is what this is all about, though in a subtle way. I wasn’t put off or feeling unjust. It somehow worked as a discussion on the unfathomability of other families having a peep in. Coined the Gold Digger (GD) by her sister in laws, she showed a remarkable ability to put up with it all.
These folk are the one percenters, who certainly have some weird relationships (Sasha’s husband rubbing his mother’s feet?) but are fiercely loyal. Such a funny book which felt like it was not about a real lot, but the star of the show were the characters, and that’s what I love in my fiction. A clever debut which showed excellent writing and a fresh idea.
A completely different way for me to travel to New York. ...more
What a refreshing legal themed book this was to read. Fast paced, interesting at every stage, serious and funny combined. I am currently watching The What a refreshing legal themed book this was to read. Fast paced, interesting at every stage, serious and funny combined. I am currently watching The Good Wife television show and I really enjoy it. Both show a misogynistic darker world where not many nice men abound.
A particularly awful, callous, sexist, greedy, corrupt, violent, unskilled and unscrupulous client ends up dead – the thing is this man, Gavin, is the type of bloke everyone would have wished dead at some point, in that jokey way people have. In this instance the joke turned into a reality.
His poor wife Anne, their daughters are left behind, kind words at the funeral cringeworthy as this is what people think they need to say to the bereaved. This is an awful business, where lawyers drum up business at funerals and want to look their best all times – if only surface deep. And of course, corrupt pollies make an entrance here too.
I enjoyed all characters, good and bad, Viv, Ruth and Anne were strong women, whether they realised it or not. Viv and Ruth were employees of the firm trying to catch Gavin’s business, where everyone fawned all over him – but not these two women. As the case progressed they realised he was the worst kind of man.
It was hard not to cringe while grown men patted each other on the back, called each other ‘mate’, big noting themselves and driving a Porsche as a status of importance, while it is clear their female counterparts work hard with no desire to show off, but needing to work harder to prove themselves. Ruth was the driving force while dealing with the detective in charge, while the owner of the firm didn’t have the guts to do this.
’If every prick in or near a law firm was a target for murder, there would be a blood bath, Detective Messer. Ours is a profession known for attracting greedy, manipulative people. But they seem to stay alive. Regrettably, in some cases.’
Also refreshing was the candour at which the author was able to convey the murkiness of this industry, the hard work and tenacity required to be able to function in this world, and the softer side of those doing the right thing. It is clear the author’s work in this field has helped in shaping this story and I was left feeling the author’s back story provided a solid foundation with accuracy spilling over to the fiction. Again, an Australian debut that reads like a seasoned pro was behind it.
This story of greed, power and justice in the legal world was riveting at the same time as being a very easy read, which really is my kind of book - with pockets of dark humour, too!
With my thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof copy to read and review....more
This book was compulsive, fast paced and extremely easy to read. This is a debut, so I really don’t know how the author can improve! When I read debutThis book was compulsive, fast paced and extremely easy to read. This is a debut, so I really don’t know how the author can improve! When I read debuts from Australian authors lately, I have been blown away, and this is no exception. I am intrigued to see what Bronwyn Hall will do next, I'll be waiting keenly.
Young and talented, Dr Rachel Forester is a surgeon working with the UN in the Congo. Deep in the jungle, she is able to hold her own at all times, dealing with patients, limited supplies and harsh conditions, and never complaining. She gets on with things and is an amazingly caring health care professional.
Rachel is left in the jungle when another patient needed critical care, and she finds herself in the company of a tight group, where survival becomes precarious as corruption and harm to children raise alarm bells. Her superiors and others in the UN may not be all they appear, and Rachel is caring for some of her injured crew while attempting to hike out of the depths of the jungle for many miles to get out.
All of the characters we read about are believable and well fleshed out, particularly the unit she is left with to survive, find food, and make it through an unforgiving jungle. Rachel grew up on a farm and shows some skill, along with being able to think fast and be a levelheaded and empathetic doctor wherever she goes.
Relationships are formed hard and fast in combat and survival situations; the author has crafted a tense and high paced read where I was constantly in motion to see what would happen next.
This booked bypassed my radar, but as GR is so good at, and my awesome reading friends, I found it one day and sourced in on audio the next. Annabelle Tudor was a remarkable voice actor, incorporating spot on accents where I was never once left questioning who was speaking. What a great job, and what a great debut. I recommend this book and am at a loss regarding the author having no medical, military or experience with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Outstanding!...more
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