The Changing Room by Belinda Cranston Publisher: Transit Lounge Publication date: 1st May 2024 Genre: Fiction Pages: 240 RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback) Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Quikmark Media   Review: The Changing Room The Changing Room is set during the 1990's and follows Rachel, a young Australian girl, on her journey from London to Egypt and Israel as a backpacker.   The story reads a lot like a travel journal narrated by Rachel as she spends time in London then traveling to Egypt and on to Israel spending time living on a kibbutz in the Negev Desert. Rachel ..read more

 Free by Meg Keneally Publisher: Echo Publishing Publication date: 30th April 2024  Genre: Historical Fiction Pages: 336 RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback) Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: Free I have a great love for Australian colonial stories that include determination, everyday struggles and the love that develops for this new country and Meg Keneally showcases all of these elements to perfection in Free.  Keneally uses Mary Reibey as her inspiration for the character of Molly Darrow later to become Molly Thistle who had a key role in her previous book The Wre ..read more

 Downstream by Annika Johansson What do you do when your great Australian dream gets washed away?   Publisher: Echo Publishing Publication date: 30th April 2024 Genre: Contemporary Fiction Pages: 320 RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback) Source: Courtesy of the publisher Review: Downstream Inspired by the Lismore floods of 2022 Annika Johansson has written a compassionate and heartfelt story about losing everything, getting out of your comfort zone and finding new meanings to life.   Rob and Sal have lost their home, car and every possession in the Lismore floods. People everywhere ..read more

 The Lost Letters of Rose Carey by Julie Bennett Publisher: Simon & Schuster Publication date: 1st May 2024 Genre: Historical Fiction Pages: 368 RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback) Source: uncorrected proof from publisher   Review: The Lost Letters of Rose Carey The Lost Letters of Rose Carey was inspired by the life of vaudeville star, swimmer and actress Annette Kellerman.   Narrated through the dual timeline of Rose in 1923 and Emma in 2024.    In 1923 Rose is going through a hard time financially and she needs to reinvent herself. She has an amazing new act that w ..read more

 Family Trust by Peter Wilson A trust fund to die for... Publisher: Self Published Publication date: 26th April 2024 Genre: Crime / Thriller Pages: 222 RRP: $4.58AU (Kindle Ebook)  Source: Courtesy of the author   Review: Family Trust Family Trust by Peter Wilson is a highly entertaining and engaging crime thriller with themes of wealth and corruption. Wilson takes his readers into the murky world of money, privilege and power.   The story is told through multiple timelines covering three generations. In the 1960's financial lawyer Henry Taylor was employed to set up a tr ..read more

 The One That Got Away by Karly Lane Twenty years ago, Alex ran. As far and as fast as she could. But to return is her only escape.....   Publisher: Allen & Unwin Publication date: 30th April 2024 Genre: Contemporary fiction / rural romance Pages: 339 RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback) Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: The One That Got Away Karly Lane's stories just keep getting better and better!   With The One That Got Away Karly Lane has delivered another heartfelt, small town, romance story that is sure to garner rave reviews.  Alex leaves the small c ..read more

The Lost Lover by Karen Swan Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia Publication date: 30th April 2024 Series The Wild Isle #3  Genre: Historical Fiction Pages: 420 RRP: $34.99 (trade paperback) Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: The Lost Lover Could my heart be any more shattered!! ?   If you are following this series you will know each book follows one of the young women on the isle of St Kilda the year before they are evacuated. Through extremely clever plotting Karen Swan has written three (so far) completely different stories involving the same characters and timeline ..read more

 Sunrise Over Mercy Court by Fiona McCallum Just when they thought they were done.... Publisher: Harlequin Australia Publication date: 5th April 2023  Genre: Contemporary Fiction Pages: 496 RRP: $32.99AU now in B format $22.99AU Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: Sunrise Over Mercy Court I have read a few of Fiona McCallum's novels and I have really enjoyed them. However, Sunrise Over Mercy Court was a miss for me.   Elsie and Howard have been together for almost 60 years and at 78 they are tired of the aches and pains, bored with life and low on finances. They p ..read more

 The Wartime Vet by Ellie Curzon Publisher: Bookouture Publication date: 4th April 2024 Series: A Village at War #3  Genre: Historical Fiction Pages: 331 Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: The Wartime Vet The Wartime Vet is a cozy mystery/historical fiction set in 1942 country England during WWII.   Laura moves from her job as a small animal vet to the country town of Bramble Heath where she is employed to care for the local farm animals; the sheep and cows that will provide food for the nation.   I loved that Laura was strong and determined, the 1940's were ..read more

 Last Chance in Paris by Lynda Marron Publisher: Echo Publishing Publication date: 3rd April 2024 Genre: Contemporary Fiction Pages: 280 RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback) Source: Courtesy of the publisher    Review: Last Chance in Paris Last Chance in Paris is a poignant and heartfelt story of past regrets and new beginnings. Told through multiple points of view, Marron’s lyrical prose and unique writing style build empathy for her large cast of characters. The reader is introduced to people who are broken and looking to time in Paris, the city of love, to find purpose again an ..read more