Author:Joy Rhoades
'A heart-breaking love story from a great new voice' Saga
Australia 1945. Until now Kate Dowd has led a sheltered life on her family's sprawling sheep station but, with her father's health in decline, the management of the farm is increasingly falling to her.
Kate is rising to the challenge when the arrival of two Italian POW labourers disrupts everything – especially when Kate finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Luca Canali.
Then she receives devastating news. The farm is near bankrupt and the bank is set to repossess. Given just eight weeks to pay the debt, Kate is now in a race to save everything she holds dear.
Over the course of one year, Kate finds a strength and defiance she never knew she had in this fascinating debut novel
—— Red MagazineA story of survival and forbidden love, this hooks you in from the atmospheric first pages, and will have you rooting for the feisty heroine
—— Sunday MirrorA heart-breaking love story from a great new voice
—— Sue Price , SagaA novel about endurance and a stubborn will to survive, it is written with passion and intensity that is hugely attractive
—— Elizabeth BuchanThis sweeping epic set in rural New South Wales is about love, family and testing your mettle -- and it's compulsively readable. Just the thing for those lazy summer days
—— Marie Claire AustraliaFull of moral dilemmas, brutality, and humanity, this is a terrific first novel that illuminates and unknown corner, while creating characters who can and cannot change their minds
—— Frances Fyfield, judging the 2018 McKitterick PrizeAn easy-to-read tale of Australian rural life and family drama ... Rhoades paints a vivid picture of the Australian bush, the strict social code, snobbery and racism
—— Sue Barraclough , Irish NewsFull of fine descriptions and multi-faceted characters, this is a convincing portrayal of life in 1940’s outback Australia and an engaging read
—— ChoiceThe descriptions of life on a 1940s Australian sheep station are authentic, as are all the characters that inhabit this often confronting landscape... Its honesty and truth shine through on every page, and it deserves the highest recommendation
—— Historical Novels ReviewBe immersed in the harsh, rugged romance of the Aussie bush, thanks to a wonderful new voice in literary rural fiction
—— Australian Women's WeeklyA moving story ... While the subject matter of drought, mental illness, war and a battle with finances sounds like a tough read, The Woolgrower's Companion is anything but. Author Joy Rhoades is a skilful writer who draws readers in with a story that twists and turns
—— Melbourne Weekly TimesHer gripping debut inspired by snippets of her grandmother's life will leave you on the edge of your seat
—— Yours, SydneyAn entertaining and compelling book ... A vivid wartime history lesson that readers of all ages will enjoy
—— R M Williams OutbackThis is the kind of romantic story you can lose yourself in… It’s an evocative tale from another era, written in simple, often lyrical prose, where the landscape is as much a part of the story as the well-drawn characters that inhabit it
—— Kim Forrester , Reading MatterA story that will make you laugh and cry and everything in between.
—— Erin Woodward , The Girly Book ClubDeliciously devious
—— Daily ExpressFun and feisty
—— HeatDeliciously edgy
—— Good HousekeepingBrilliant and original
—— SunHilarious
—— CloserGlorious
—— Giovanna FletcherHugely compelling and unpredictable
—— Ruth JonesWell-crafted, dryly funny
—— RedA lovely, absorbing novel, full of the beauty and mystery of the Mojacar
—— Kate EberlenA writing powerhouse
—— Carrie Hope FletcherHeart-warming and wonderfully romantic
—— Rosanna LeyThe perfect getaway read
—— RedBeautiful, life-affirming stories that whisk you away and make you fall in love
—— Miranda DickinsonThe funniest, warmest, loveliest book I've read in so long. The characters are so hilarious and relatable, I laughed non-stop and genuinely didn't want it to end
—— Lucy VineI've spent the last forty-eight hours laughing my head off at this novel . . . but it's not just comic, there's a real heart to it and it's often very moving
—— John BoyneOne of my fave novels of 2017. It really does remind me of Marian Keyes
—— Louise O'NeillIf I had a book of the year award for 2017 it would go to Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling . . . It left me giggling at some pages and sobbing at others
—— Sinead CrowleyOne of the funniest books I've read in twenty years
—— Paul HowardAnother funny and lovable take on everyone's favourite small-town girl Aisling. A highly entertaining and absorbing addition to your bookshelves
—— Sunday Business PostEvery Irish person knows an Aisling, and there is nothing more delightful than recognising something familiar being projected back at you through a novel. While the books are both extremely funny, they also reflect a period in Irish culture and centre around a heartwarming story for Aisilings of the ages
—— Image MagazineNot only is it a great story with funny, loveable characters, it made me laugh out loud
—— StylistThe scene is set for a great unravelling. People running from their pasts, presents and futures - what more could one ask for?
—— Connaught TelegraphSkilful. Witty and fast-paced
—— The WeekGreat fun
—— PeopleAn insightful, twisty thriller set in a luxury retreat cut off from the outside world
—— Eastern Daily PressPraise for Liane Moriarty
—— -Wise, honest, beautifully observed. One of the few writers I'll drop anything for
—— Jojo MoyesStaggeringly brilliant, literally unputdownable
—— Sophie HannahLike drinking a pink cosmo laced with arsenic . . . a fun, engaging and sometimes disturbing read
—— USA TodayKeeps you guessing until the very end - perfect summer read
—— Reese WitherspoonMoriarty writes vividly, wittily and wickedly
—— Sunday ExpressStraight-from-life characters, knife-sharp insight and almost unbearable suspense will have you racing through it
—— Good HousekeepingAs brilliantly accomplished as it is dark, twisty and compulsive
—— HeatRiveting drama packed with suspense and secrets
—— Woman & HomePerfect
—— Hello!A hell of a good book. Funny and scary
—— Stephen KingFascinating and compassionate
—— Daily TelegraphI loved every line of it
—— Louise CandlishFunny and captivating
—— CloserA cracking story cleverly told
—— FabulousEvery single one of her books is a great read
—— E! OnlineAn ideal summer read
—— Live Preston & FyldeBook Club Summer 2019 Pick
—— Silversurfers