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elleceeveee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
claireh1997's review
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mandylovestoread's review
5.0
Oh Emily Madden.. what a story. An emotional page turner that had me completely engrossed from start to finish. I loved Heart of The Cross so much and now The Buchanan Girls sits up there as some of my favourite historical fiction books. This was another book that I did not want to end, becoming very attached to these characters, in particular Ivy.
Dual timelines of 1941 and 2008 Sydney. In 1941, we meet the Buchanan twins, Olive and Ivy. They might look the same but that is where the similarities end. Olive is spoilt and demanding, and all she wants to do is marry and live the life of an officers wife. Ivy on the other hand wants to do something that matters with her life. Against her fathers wishes she joins the Australian Women’s Army Service and travels o Townsville to help the troops. There she makes news friends and falls in love for the first time. But life is never straight forward, especially in times of war. The twins will both learn the harsh reality of that and their lives will never be the same again.
In 2008, Madeleine has come back to Sydney from her job and cheating husband in New York. She is hurt, heartbroken and grieving. She wants to take this time to work out what she really wants from her life and does she want to stay married the other side of the world. Her grandmother is her rock and the more time she spends home, the more she learns of her family’s past.
It is a beautiful story, so full of wonderful characters and twists. I loved Ivy and really didn’t like Olive much at all. I felt like I knew them and i felt their happiness and their pain.
Thank you so much to Harlequin Australia for sending me this advanced copy to read.
Dual timelines of 1941 and 2008 Sydney. In 1941, we meet the Buchanan twins, Olive and Ivy. They might look the same but that is where the similarities end. Olive is spoilt and demanding, and all she wants to do is marry and live the life of an officers wife. Ivy on the other hand wants to do something that matters with her life. Against her fathers wishes she joins the Australian Women’s Army Service and travels o Townsville to help the troops. There she makes news friends and falls in love for the first time. But life is never straight forward, especially in times of war. The twins will both learn the harsh reality of that and their lives will never be the same again.
In 2008, Madeleine has come back to Sydney from her job and cheating husband in New York. She is hurt, heartbroken and grieving. She wants to take this time to work out what she really wants from her life and does she want to stay married the other side of the world. Her grandmother is her rock and the more time she spends home, the more she learns of her family’s past.
It is a beautiful story, so full of wonderful characters and twists. I loved Ivy and really didn’t like Olive much at all. I felt like I knew them and i felt their happiness and their pain.
Thank you so much to Harlequin Australia for sending me this advanced copy to read.
lakinloveslit's review
5.0
Emily Madden can do no wrong!!! Another absolutely incredible story - 10/10/10/10!!!
tasmanian_bibliophile's review
4.0
‘When Andrew Buchanan returned home from the Great War with a bride in tow, his parents were not pleased to say the least.’
In July 1924, Andrew’s wife Louisa gives birth to identical twin girls: Olive and Ivy. Tragically, Louisa dies, and while Andrew does the best he can for his daughters, Ivy grows up feeling responsible for her mother’s death. Olive is the daughter favoured by both her father and grandmother. Olive is engaged at 17 and then marries her fiancé before he departs Australia to serve in the Army. Ivy wants to do more, and passing herself as being 18, joins the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS). She does so against her father’s wishes. Ivy starts to establish a life for herself in the barracks at Townsville, making friends with her colleagues. At a dance one night, she meets Leo, an American serviceman.
In 2008, Madeline returns to Sydney from New York. She has discovered that her husband cheated on her after the devastating loss of their baby and needs space to come to terms with both losses. Once in Sydney, Madeline is tempted to stay and never return to New York. But her husband Evan keeps sending her reminders of significant dates and she wonders why. Her grandmother provides a sympathetic ear and then Madeline learns of secrets within her family, secrets which will make her think about her relationship with Evan.
The story shifts between 1941 and 2008, between the lives of Ivy and Madeline. As the earlier story unfolds, Ivy makes many sacrifices for Olive. In the later story, Madeline learns about the past as she comes to terms with her own life and choices.
I enjoyed this novel with its dual timelines. I found Olive incredibly selfish and frustrating, felt sorry for Ivy and wondered what choices Madeline would make.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia HQ for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
In July 1924, Andrew’s wife Louisa gives birth to identical twin girls: Olive and Ivy. Tragically, Louisa dies, and while Andrew does the best he can for his daughters, Ivy grows up feeling responsible for her mother’s death. Olive is the daughter favoured by both her father and grandmother. Olive is engaged at 17 and then marries her fiancé before he departs Australia to serve in the Army. Ivy wants to do more, and passing herself as being 18, joins the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS). She does so against her father’s wishes. Ivy starts to establish a life for herself in the barracks at Townsville, making friends with her colleagues. At a dance one night, she meets Leo, an American serviceman.
In 2008, Madeline returns to Sydney from New York. She has discovered that her husband cheated on her after the devastating loss of their baby and needs space to come to terms with both losses. Once in Sydney, Madeline is tempted to stay and never return to New York. But her husband Evan keeps sending her reminders of significant dates and she wonders why. Her grandmother provides a sympathetic ear and then Madeline learns of secrets within her family, secrets which will make her think about her relationship with Evan.
The story shifts between 1941 and 2008, between the lives of Ivy and Madeline. As the earlier story unfolds, Ivy makes many sacrifices for Olive. In the later story, Madeline learns about the past as she comes to terms with her own life and choices.
I enjoyed this novel with its dual timelines. I found Olive incredibly selfish and frustrating, felt sorry for Ivy and wondered what choices Madeline would make.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia HQ for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
gabberette's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Multi generational story, enthralling story, interesting characters, big plot twist at the end. I loved this book.
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