Review: The Buchanan Girls

 

Title: The Buchanan Girls

Author: Emily Madden

Publisher: 1st September 2021 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 400 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: historical fiction, romance

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

A sweeping family saga about betrayal, forgiveness and the cost of love.

Sydney, 1941: Olive and Ivy may be identical twins, but they couldn't be more different. While Olive is focused on marrying a man appropriate to her station, Ivy wants to do more, to be more. Joining the Australian Women's Service Army is the perfect chance for her to escape her family obligations and make a real difference in the world. She doesn't expect serving her country to lead to romance ... or devastating betrayal and unthinkable grief.

As the war progresses, both Olive and Ivy find themselves wanting the same thing: for their loves to return safely. But neither of the Buchanan girls is ready for what the future has in store for them.

Sydney, 2008: Escaping her husband's betrayal and an impossible personal loss, Madeline returns home to Sydney to nurse her broken heart. As she settles into her new routine, it's too easy to consider never returning to New York and her old life. But her husband won't give up on what they have so easily, and Madeline can't ignore his messages reminding her of why they fell in love in the first place. With her grandmother's support, Madeline has to decide if forgiveness means reconciliation. But is the biggest betrayal yet to come?

My Thoughts

‘Will the truth destroy her, or set her free?’

Emily Madden has done it again! I raved about her previous books and once again she has produced an absolutely stunning story. The Buchanan Sisters is a tale of epic proportions, a family saga detailing the story of twin sisters with the themes of war and sacrifice, betrayal and forgiveness.

‘Australia may have entered the war with her sons, but it was becoming clear that it was up to her daughters to help her pull through.’

A dual time narrative set in both 1941 and 2008 I loved and lost myself in the historical aspect of the story, yet at the same time, enjoyed and sympathised with the contemporary tale. It takes a great author to cleverly meld two timelines and Emily’s finesse as a writer is evident to all as she deftly weaves and brings them together resulting in both tears and smiles. 

‘She inhaled deeply and gathered the strength to slip into the past, just one last time.’

This is a truly heart-wrenching tale, one that I will definitely revisit. My heart was full of the characters, their friendships and relationships. The story of Ivy and Olive, twins so very different and with dreams that would never go to plan. This is such quality historical fiction as Emily draws the reader into her characters with the events and the attitudes of the era combining for dramatic effect. One cannot help but become a part  of their story and, whether you see it coming or not, an ending that will leave you breathless. 

‘He held his breath then. He had meant every word. And now there was nothing more to do, nothing more to say, except wait and hope.’

The Buchanan Girls is an exceptional novel, there is just so much to love here that I cannot recommend it highly enough to people who love a story rich in drama, history and romance. So do yourself a favour and read some of Emily’s books, you won’t be disappointed. 

‘She didn’t know what their future held, what it looked like, or if she was making a big mistake. But what she did know was that not taking a risk … may yield greater regret.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Heart of the Cross

Title: Heart of the Cross

Author: Emily Madden

Publisher: 19th August 2019 by Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) & MIRA

Pages: 400 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: historical fiction

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

From Ireland to Kings Cross, a legacy of loss and hope echoes across the generations ...

Tinahely, Ireland, 1959 Rosie Hart is content leaving her home behind to follow her new husband to Australia. But she soon discovers there is no room for her or their young son in the life he has built in vibrant Kings Cross. As their marriage crumbles, Rosie will need to fight for the golden future her son deserves.

Rose Bay, 1984 Haunted by her past, Rosie is determined her daughter Maggie will follow the path she has set out for her. But Maggie has plans of her own, and Rosie can only pray the grief that plagues the Hart name won't follow her.

Sydney, 2017 When her grandmother dies and leaves Brianna Hart a secret apartment in Kings Cross, Brie wonders what else Rosie was keeping from her. As Brie chases the truth of Rosie's past she uncovers an incredible story of passion, violence, love and tragedy. Is the Hart family's legacy of loss inescapable, or has Rosie gifted her granddaughter with a future of hope?

My Thoughts

‘Feathers are brave—they go where the wind takes them. Feathers are patient—they arrive at their destination, fall to the ground and wait. And they’re strong—just like the Hart women.’

Heart of the Cross is wonderful historical fiction by Aussie author Emily Madden and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Once again, I found her writing to be rich and engaging with this novel firmly cementing her as a ‘go to’ or ‘must read’ author. On this occasion, we have three timelines, with three women - Rose, Maggie and Brie - all from the same family. The emotions that flow through all three stories demonstrate a real dignified strength and determination.

There is much to appreciate with plenty on offer given there is such an extended timeline. A rich and fulfilling family saga most certainly, that is filled with not only the expected sadness and heartaches, but also keeps you eagerly turning pages with an enticing mystery, slowly unfurled with puzzle pieces gradually placed together. Then there is also the setting, Kings Cross (Sydney, Australia) - almost a character within itself. It was fascinating to watch this iconic destination transform over the years and I especially enjoyed the 1950's-60's time period. At my age, I also could smirk over many of the 80s references such as Island Cooler’s that brought back some fond times. 

However, at its heart this is a story of great tragedy held together by the firm ties of family and friendship despite all of the many hardships. Each main character  held her own in their given time period (Rose has to be a firm favourite with all she endured and then achieved in her lifetime) and you easily transition from Rose in the 50s to Maggie her daughter, to then Brie in the present day. The voices of all three women were strong and relatable. All in all, this is a wonderful story, incredibly heartwarming amidst the heartache and one which I highly recommend.

‘You can travel to the ends of the earth, Brie, but one day you’ll realise that what you were looking for was right here all along. Only then it might be too late.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Lost Pearl

Title:  The Lost Pearl

Author: Emily Madden

Publisher: 27th August 2018 by Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA

Pages: 480 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: historical fiction

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

A sweeping family saga of long lost love, for readers of Fiona McIntosh and Mary-Anne O'Connor.

From Pearl Harbor to the shores of Sydney, a family secret that spans generations could unite a family – or destroy it.

Honolulu, Hawaii 1941

On the evening of her sixteenth birthday party, Catherine McGarrie wants nothing more than for the night to be over, even though the opulence of the ballroom befits the daughter of a US Navy Rear Admiral. Then she meets Charlie, a navy officer from the other side of the tracks, a man her parents would never approve of. As rumours of war threaten their tropical paradise, Catherine and Charlie fall in love. But the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941 changes their lives forever.

Seventy–five years later, addled by age and painkillers, Catherine tells her granddaughter Kit her story and reveals the tale of a long–lost treasure. Can Kit uncover the secret and reunite her family? Or will the truth tear them apart?

My Thoughts

‘Read this book’, the reviewers stated. ‘I’m not sure’, I replied. ‘Read it!’. ‘Okay’. Wow! To think I was so close to missing out on such an incredible tale! This is one of ‘those’ books - it will leave you both breathless and speechless. The Lost Pearl by Aussie author Emily Madden can only be described as epic in every sense of the word - a family drama which spans decades.

This heartbreaking tale contains so much trauma, that inevitably, leads to such sadness. Yet right along side it is hope and love and you will be drawn in, clinging to that final thread of things will be okay. A dual time narrative that witnesses a granddaughter slowly uncovering the secrets from her grandmother’s dying words. This is a book with a lot of pages, but at no stage does it drag. In fact the opposite will occur, long into the night, when sleep should have claimed you, will you tell yourself, ‘just one more chapter’.

Here are just some of the aspects that make this book truly great. The research: this is a story infused with rich historical detail that will be confronting in some ways. Everything from the laughter and joy of prewar Hawaii, to the devastation and trauma of the bombing of Pearl Harbour, to the horrible treatment of unmarried pregnant women at the Crown Womens Hospital in Sydney. Then there are the themes: weaving through this tale you will be confronted with class and race issues in pre WWII America and of course sexism in the treatment of women. To do this requires some fabulous writing and Emily delivers on this aspect! There are a variety of plot lines, an array of characters that in the hands of a lesser author would become a messy storyboard. Not so here. It just all works so well. Finally, there are the characters themselves and delightfully we are given a variety of first person voices which allows the reader a greater understanding and connection. The engagement you will feel to both Charlie and Kitty in the past - even learning the reasoning behind William’s thoughts - will be so real and heart wrenching.

As you know I am an avid fan of historical fiction but the woven web of secrets and loss throughout this particular tale, will leave you feeling as if you were in places such as Hawaii on the eve of the bombing or waiting for a baby to be delivered in that terrible institution. This holds such poignancy about family and love, yet at the same time, slowly placing all the puzzle pieces on the board for you to move around and finally place together for an amazing journey.

‘It wasn’t the ending she had envisioned, but wasn’t that always the case? Life rarely let you live it out according to plan.’

I could not put this book down and for a long time found it difficult to leave Charlie, Catherine, Kit and Adam - even Kit’s family (especially her brothers) were delightful. There is just so much to love here that I cannot recommend it highly enough to people who love a story rich in drama, history and romance.

‘No, not goodbye.’ He dipped his head, planting a kiss on her forehead. ‘Until we meet again.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release