This is an excellent contemporary story. It is beautifully written and is filled with emotion. It is an uplifting story. The story is set over twelve months. I loved the setting and the characters

A page turning read that keeps the reader engaged through until the final chapter, thoroughly recommend this book to add to your library If you like chick lit

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is the second book I have read by this author. It features relationships within families and friendships set within a community choir. Each character's tale is unique and credible and the slow, gentle development of the relationships is interesting. I particularly enjoyed the way Janine and Debbie found strength in their friendship, overcoming the negativity from events in their past. Superb reading, I loved it and look forward to more from this author.

I enjoyed this novel set in a small town in Australia. We were introduced to a range of characters with various problems and challenges to overcome, who all ended being helped by their membership of the local choir. I have a lot of experience of choirs and singing, but have never been to Australia, so enjoyed the collision of those two worlds, which examined the ways in which small-town life can be suffocating but can also provide us with important connections, in the same way that membership of a choir does.

Teacher and single-mum Alex has arrived in the small town of Belllbird River after escaping the city in search of a change of pace and the chance to reconnect with her young daughter. Across town, well-known matriarch Victoria and her globe-trotting, opera-singing cousin Gabrielle find themselves at a crossroads in their personal and professional lives, while local baker Janine and newcomer to the area Debbie are each secretly dealing with the consequences of painful pasts.

With its dusty streets, lone pub and iron-lace verandahs, Bellbird River could just be a pit stop on the road to somewhere else. But their town holds some secrets and surprises - and it has a heart: the Bellbird River choir.

Amid the melodies and camaraderie of the choir, each of the women will find the courage to leave the past behind. And together, they'll discover that friends are much closer to home than they'd ever realised.

Such a well crafted novel, compelling enough to pull you through and very quick read. I enjoyed it so much from the first page till the end. A good story like this needs a quiet afternoon, a sofa and a warm blanket.

A gentle story equally featuring five different women. Set in the countryside of New South Wales, a rural area five hours by car from Sydney. Bellbird River is a small community where everyone knows everything, although a few residents do manage to keep a few secrets. The main characters of various ages and backgrounds all belong to the local choir. As the story evolves you learn the individual struggles each woman is coping with, and subtly how through the music and friendship, help each other and in so doing, help themselves.
An uplifting story of hope, forgiveness and strength which should resonate with most readers. Accessible to all ages, no sex or offensive language.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advance copy. Recommend.

Set in the outback of Australia. A lovely story of how joining a choir helped different people, an opera singer whose voice has changed, a mother who had lost her children being in prison, a woman whose husband had left her , the choir master and so on. It kept you gripped to the end and in not too perfect but lovely way each person you followed found their way. Perfect.