Publisher: 28th July 2021 by Hachette Australia
Pages: 432 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: women’s fiction
My Rating: 5 cups
Synopsis:
From the author of beloved Top Ten bestsellers The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club and The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle comes a delightful new novel about friendship, love and finding yourself.
Far North Queensland, 1993: At 74, former cane farmer Grace Maud is feeling her age, and her isolation, and thinks the best of life may be behind her. Elsewhere in town, high school teacher Patricia has given up on her dreams of travel and adventure and has moved back home to look after her ageing parents, while cafe owner Dorothy is struggling to accept that she may never have the baby she and her husband so desperately want. Each woman has an unspoken need: reconnection. And that's how they find themselves at Orange Blossom House, surrounded by perfumed rainforest, being cajoled and encouraged by their yoga teacher, the lively Sandrine. Together, they will find courage and strength - and discover that life has much more to offer than they ever expected.
Set amid the lush beauty of tropical Queensland, Thursdays at Orange Blossom House is a heartwarming story of friendship and family, of chances missed and taken, and the eternal power of love.
My Thoughts
I first came across Sophie’s writing in, The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club, which I adored. I therefore had high expectations coming into her latest offering and I was not disappointed. It was absolutely delightful with writing that is immersive, confirming and heartwarming. In this current crazy world we live in, who does not wish for an uplifting read about family, friends, mindfulness and yoga! A truly winning combination.
‘That day Dorothy first wandered away from this café and towards that yoga class, she could not have known what Orange Blossom House would bring her. Now she does, and it gives her the strength to walk back inside, sniff back her tears and get on with her day.’
Over the course of the story three women of different ages and backgrounds form a friendship in a yoga class and what they all learn sees them become the strongest of friends. Even though they are all so very different, Sophie illustrates (yet again!) how at any stage of your life, you can leave the past behind and face a future full of joyful anticipation. That it is indeed possible to both find and fulfill your heart's desire on a journey of self discovery. This book is rich and rewarding on so many levels that I was furiously highlighting so as to always be reminded of the absolute gems Sophie drops for her readers along the way.
‘… though Grace Maud knows … that control is an illusion, always. The only thing that can be controlled is the time we wake up each day; after that, every minute is at the whim of the fates. We just tell ourselves stories about how that’s not the case so that life seems vaguely manageable.’
I love how Sophie divided the book up with a list of either songs, movies or current affairs from the period 1993-1995 - it brought back some fond memories. The locale of far North Queensland was vividly portrayed and added yet another dimension to an already amazing tale.
‘A wistfulness settles on Patricia’s face and Grace Maud recognises it: the mixture of regret and relief that arises when you know you’ve become the person you want to be only because some of the things you thought you wanted never happened.’
For me, Sophie’s writing style is sublime - gentle and graceful - allowing her readers to lose themselves in the story. Through each of the three narratives you will find a little of your past, present or future self - such is the genuine nature of these lead characters. You will reflect on your own dreams or aspirations and come to the realisation that, in whatever form, it is always possible to unlock and pursue what makes your heart sing. This book is both comforting and confirming.
‘Her body has bent and folded and stretched and hauled and pushed for most of her life. Just because it has wrinkles on it now doesn’t mean it’s forgotten how to do all those things simply because she’s withered a little since she moved into town. Somewhere inside this crepey-skinned shell is the warrior she used to be.’
Thank you Sophie for yet another beautifully written story. A story about making changes in an effort to affirm and pursue your unique life journey. How through friendships or the mindfulness of something such as yoga, you are able to realise subtle changes that may help to unlock an even better you.
‘She held onto something that wasn’t serving her for too long simply because she was unsure of what was on the other side, even though it had a very good chance of being better.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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