Reviews

Independent reviews of recently released fiction, non-fiction and kids’ books.

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Two Daughters by Alison Edwards 

Two Daughters by Alison Edwards 

Alison Edwards’ debut novel is a story of fate, where two people from opposite sides of the world who, despite ...
Lie With Me by Philippe Besson

Lie With Me by Philippe Besson

Lie With Me is most probably autobiographical. The narrator (as disclosed on the back cover of the book) is the ...
Return to Sender by Lauren Draper

Return to Sender by Lauren Draper

This story starts dramatically with the main protagonist and narrator, Brodie, trespassing and being chased up a ...
The Little Clothes by Deborah Callaghan

The Little Clothes by Deborah Callaghan

Audrey is a people-pleaser who never receives credit for the help she gives. She’s a clever lawyer, indispensable ...
If You Go by Alice Robinson

If You Go by Alice Robinson

Esther wakes, aware of being connected to wires, tape over her lips and eyes, hands tied down, and a tube down her ...
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

After loving Mellor’s debut, Cleopatra & Frankenstein, I was eager to tuck into her new book, Blue Sisters. ...
Hurdy Gurdy by Jenny Ackland

Hurdy Gurdy by Jenny Ackland

At the beginning of Hurdy Gurdy a character asks, ‘Why is the world so bad … why isn’t it more fun?’ While ...
Together We Fall Apart by Sophie Matthiesson

Together We Fall Apart by Sophie Matthiesson

Matthieson’s debut novel gives an insightful look into the life of a young Australian woman, Clare. Growing up in ...
The Honeyeater by Jessie Tu 

The Honeyeater by Jessie Tu 

Fay is an academic and translator who specialises in Modern Taiwanese-to-English literary translations. For all ...
The Lyrebird Lake Ladies Choir by Sandie Docker

The Lyrebird Lake Ladies Choir by Sandie Docker

After the death of her husband, now single mum Hannah and her son, Leo, arrive in Lyrebird, homeless. Hannah is ...
Swift River by Essie Chambers 

Swift River by Essie Chambers 

Swift River is both a coming-of-age story and a generational saga. It’s also a compelling take on the ...
Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan

Lady Augusta Gresham, daughter of Francis, Earl of Greshamsbury, and his wife, Arabella, a former supermodel from ...
So Close To Home by Mick Cummins            

So Close To Home by Mick Cummins            

Aaron is barely out of adolescence, lives rough in Melbourne and is addicted to heroin. He needs a secure place to ...
The Sweet Blue Distance by Sara Donati

The Sweet Blue Distance by Sara Donati

In 1856, New York midwife Carrie Ballentyne is seeking adventure. She accepts a nursing position with a Santa Fe ...
Southern Aurora by Mark Brandi   

Southern Aurora by Mark Brandi   

Jimmy, in Grade 5 of primary school, lives in the fictional town of Mittigunda, halfway between Sydney and ...
The Girl with the Violin by Shelley Davidow 

The Girl with the Violin by Shelley Davidow 

Susanna is a 20-year-old talented Jewish-Australian violinist who has been awarded a scholarship to study at the ...
Briefly Very Beautiful by Roz Dineen

Briefly Very Beautiful by Roz Dineen

The opening of the dystopian Briefly Very Beautiful sucked me in, as Cass and other families living in The City ...
Just One Taste by Lizzy Dent

Just One Taste by Lizzy Dent

Just One Taste is romantic comedy perfection. It’s filled with sizzling enemies to lover’s chemistry, captivating ...
The Desert Knows Her Name by Lia Hills 

The Desert Knows Her Name by Lia Hills 

At the edge of the Wimmera – the desert-like region in western Victoria – is the fictional town of Gatyekarr, or ...
Depth of Field by Kirsty Iltners

Depth of Field by Kirsty Iltners

As a photographer, Kirsty Iltners is well qualified to write this intriguing story, conceptualised around the ...
Shadows of Winter Robins by Louise Wolhuter

Shadows of Winter Robins by Louise Wolhuter

Winter’s early life in Yorkshire is upended after her mother’s death. Her father has a complete breakdown and is ...

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