A review by crafalsk264
The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club by Sophie Green

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.5

In 1970s Australia, five very different women band together as friends and family. Sybil has turned to books as a comforter and companion for many years. When her best friend moves to Alice Springs and her oldest son leaves the territory permanently, she is more dependent on books to lighten her days than ever before. She comes up with the idea of linking up with other women to form the “Fairvale Ladies Book Club”. Her oldest friend, Rita, her new daughter-in-law Kate, Sallyanne, a troubled mother of three with a difficult husband, and Della a recent Texas transplant round out the Club. These five women reach across years, distance, and different lives to bond with friendship, laughter, tears, books and love. They fight weather, distance, complicated domestic situations and isolation to become a family.

This story profiles five remarkable women. I enjoy books set in Australia and this debut by a talented Australian writer was a perfect way to explore a unique place and time. The characters are well developed , likable, and memorable. This book takes its place in the ranks of books about women’s friendships, found family and adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction, romance, books about books and Australia.