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Sweet Wattle Creek
The chance discovery of an antique wedding dress weaves together the fascinating stories of three women from different Sophie, in hiding from a troubled past; Belle, who must lose everything to learn what really matters; and Martha, forced to give up those she loves in order to avoid exposure. It's 1931 and Belle Bartholomew has arrived in rural Sweet Wattle Creek to claim her inheritance – a run–down grand hotel formerly owned by Martha Ambrose. Determined to solve the mystery of her birth and the reason why she was bequeathed the hotel Belle runs into difficulties with the townsfolk and their desire to keep their secrets safe. Sixty years later Sophie Matheson is on a quest to find Belle and her family after discovering the wedding dress. The Sweet Wattle Creek Centenary brings more challenges when her past catches up and she must fight for all that matters to her. Who were Belle and Martha and what links their lives together?
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2015
8 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Kaye Dobbie
29 books54 followersKaye Dobbie lives in an old house in the old gold rush town Bendigo, in the state of Victoria, Australia. She has been writing professionally ever since she won the Big River short story contest at the age of eighteen. Her career has undergone many changes, including writing Australian historical fiction under the name Lilly Sommers, to romance written as Sara Bennett/Sara Mackenzie and published by Avon in the USA. Her books have been translated into many languages. She is currently writing under her 'proper' name, Kaye Dobbie, and is published by Harlequin Mira in Australia and Weltbild in Germany. Kaye lives on the central Victorian goldfields, where she creates her stories and in her spare time researches her family tree.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 30, 2015
The length of time it took me to read this is no indication of the book’s worth. It was simply that Christmas and family staying intervened, allowing no reading time, much as I wanted to get back to Sweet Wattle Creek. The arrival in 1986 of an antique wedding dress sends Sophie Matheson on a quest to find out more about the dress and its owner. The story then goes back to a letter written in 1904 by Martha Ambrose to her love. Then it turns to Belle Bartholomew at St Kilda on New Year’s Eve 1930 and the events that change her life and send her to Sweet Wattle Creek, a small town in Victoria. From there, chapters alternate between the two time frames and Sophie and Belle. The wedding dress and events in Sweet Wattle Creek link the two.
I enjoyed this book, even though at times I got a tad annoyed at being taken from one time frame to the other, when I wanted to stay with one character. But I soon got over it and got absorbed in the other narrative running through the other time frame. Belle and Sophie are both strong caring women who have suffered adversity and come through it, but not without cost. There is a romance in both these women’s lives but also secrets that cause a lot of problems. Attitudes and events are portrayed well. Sadly, some of the problems encountered by characters in this book still exist in real life today.
This is a book that incorporates mystery and danger and had me turning the pages faster toward the end. Had it been a normal time of year I’m sure I would have read it pretty much straight though, because it really does pull you into the story and make you want to keep reading. A thoroughly enjoyable read that coveys the Australian setting and both times well. This is the second book I have read by this author and I loved both of them.
I enjoyed this book, even though at times I got a tad annoyed at being taken from one time frame to the other, when I wanted to stay with one character. But I soon got over it and got absorbed in the other narrative running through the other time frame. Belle and Sophie are both strong caring women who have suffered adversity and come through it, but not without cost. There is a romance in both these women’s lives but also secrets that cause a lot of problems. Attitudes and events are portrayed well. Sadly, some of the problems encountered by characters in this book still exist in real life today.
This is a book that incorporates mystery and danger and had me turning the pages faster toward the end. Had it been a normal time of year I’m sure I would have read it pretty much straight though, because it really does pull you into the story and make you want to keep reading. A thoroughly enjoyable read that coveys the Australian setting and both times well. This is the second book I have read by this author and I loved both of them.
February 12, 2017
A pleasant piece of historical fiction with some light romantic themes and a touch of mystery, this book is an easy, entertaining read. No really high dramas or passions, but rather a straight-forward, well-written account of a family saga set in a small country town in rural Victoria.
There are two time periods with two main characters: 1931 features Belle Bartholomew, presented in the third person, 1986 has Sophie Matheson in first person voice. Both women are feisty and independent, and show great strength of character in dealing with personal misfortune with dignity.
Kaye Dobbie handles the switches in time competently, and there are strong links between the two eras. In 1986 Sophie, recently arrived in town, is a journalist with the Sweet Wattle Creek Herald, trying to piece together the story behind the elegant wedding dress which is deposited on the doorstep of the paper some weeks before the town’s centenary celebration.
The central figure of the entire book is Belle, the 30 yo woman made penniless and homeless by the loss of her father’s fortune in the Great Depression. Her only remaining asset is the derelict Grand Hotel, which she inherited from her ‘aunt’ Martha at Sweet Water Creek. Belle travels to the tiny town to see if she can make a home there, and to sort out once and for all the secrets of her true parentage. What she encounters at Sweet Wattle Creek tests her resolve and brings out her personal qualities.
Both protagonists, Sophie and Belle, are well-developed, and the author enlivens the narrative with some sharply drawn minor characters, such as the formally dressed curator, Ian McKinnon, obnoxious Lyn Thomas, and the glamorous Gwendolyn. Those minor players are keys to the emotional tenor of the book, as both Belle and Sophie struggle to make a niche for themselves in a backwater rural settlement. All the hidden secrets, all the harboured resentments of small-minded residents seem to crawl out of the woodwork when Belle arrives in town in 1931. Dobbie paints a rather harsh, but undoubtedly honest picture of what life could have been like in an isolated community at a tough time in the nation’s history.
I loved some of the minor plot lines in the book. First there is the creation of the beautiful wedding gown. Dobbie invents a character, Eileen Nicholson, a Melbourne couturier of distinction, whose exquisite garments become collectors’ items in later decades. Lovely details about the various frocks worn in 1931 which contrasted amusingly with Sophie’s pragmatic jogging gear! Belle’s romantic interest, Michael Maxwell, is associated with Charles Kingsford-Smith and Charles Ulm, and in 1986, carrying on the connexion, Mrs Davies’ beloved border collie, adopted by Sophie’s son Dillon, is called Smithy. It feels very real, and quintessentially Australian.
With all historical fiction, a crucial factor is the time period chosen by the author in which the events take place. I was really pleased to read a book NOT set in Australia’s convict era, nor in the WW1 period, so commonly the background for a lot of Australian novels. In her Afterword, Dobbie acknowledges a number of sources for the information she weaves into the fiction, about the often desperate lives of people affected by the Great Depression and the grimness of some country town communities. 1986 represents an era of change in Australian society, such as the appearance of personal computers, the beginnings of recognition of domestic violence and the need for refuges, and the changing role of women.
Having said that, I do not want to create the impression this is a dark, grim book. Quite the contrary, it is full of enjoyable elements. The compassion that Belle shows for Michael, with his hideous war wounds, was very touching, and her solicitude for the much-maligned travellers generated a lot of warmth. The embarrassingly gauche moves made by Ian and Sophie, as their mutual attraction grew, made me laugh. For me, Sweet Wattle Creek was a delightful, entertaining read, which kept my eyes pinned to the pages as I tried to work out the various secrets and lies at the core of this dysfunctional group of families over three generations.
There are two time periods with two main characters: 1931 features Belle Bartholomew, presented in the third person, 1986 has Sophie Matheson in first person voice. Both women are feisty and independent, and show great strength of character in dealing with personal misfortune with dignity.
Kaye Dobbie handles the switches in time competently, and there are strong links between the two eras. In 1986 Sophie, recently arrived in town, is a journalist with the Sweet Wattle Creek Herald, trying to piece together the story behind the elegant wedding dress which is deposited on the doorstep of the paper some weeks before the town’s centenary celebration.
The central figure of the entire book is Belle, the 30 yo woman made penniless and homeless by the loss of her father’s fortune in the Great Depression. Her only remaining asset is the derelict Grand Hotel, which she inherited from her ‘aunt’ Martha at Sweet Water Creek. Belle travels to the tiny town to see if she can make a home there, and to sort out once and for all the secrets of her true parentage. What she encounters at Sweet Wattle Creek tests her resolve and brings out her personal qualities.
Both protagonists, Sophie and Belle, are well-developed, and the author enlivens the narrative with some sharply drawn minor characters, such as the formally dressed curator, Ian McKinnon, obnoxious Lyn Thomas, and the glamorous Gwendolyn. Those minor players are keys to the emotional tenor of the book, as both Belle and Sophie struggle to make a niche for themselves in a backwater rural settlement. All the hidden secrets, all the harboured resentments of small-minded residents seem to crawl out of the woodwork when Belle arrives in town in 1931. Dobbie paints a rather harsh, but undoubtedly honest picture of what life could have been like in an isolated community at a tough time in the nation’s history.
I loved some of the minor plot lines in the book. First there is the creation of the beautiful wedding gown. Dobbie invents a character, Eileen Nicholson, a Melbourne couturier of distinction, whose exquisite garments become collectors’ items in later decades. Lovely details about the various frocks worn in 1931 which contrasted amusingly with Sophie’s pragmatic jogging gear! Belle’s romantic interest, Michael Maxwell, is associated with Charles Kingsford-Smith and Charles Ulm, and in 1986, carrying on the connexion, Mrs Davies’ beloved border collie, adopted by Sophie’s son Dillon, is called Smithy. It feels very real, and quintessentially Australian.
With all historical fiction, a crucial factor is the time period chosen by the author in which the events take place. I was really pleased to read a book NOT set in Australia’s convict era, nor in the WW1 period, so commonly the background for a lot of Australian novels. In her Afterword, Dobbie acknowledges a number of sources for the information she weaves into the fiction, about the often desperate lives of people affected by the Great Depression and the grimness of some country town communities. 1986 represents an era of change in Australian society, such as the appearance of personal computers, the beginnings of recognition of domestic violence and the need for refuges, and the changing role of women.
Having said that, I do not want to create the impression this is a dark, grim book. Quite the contrary, it is full of enjoyable elements. The compassion that Belle shows for Michael, with his hideous war wounds, was very touching, and her solicitude for the much-maligned travellers generated a lot of warmth. The embarrassingly gauche moves made by Ian and Sophie, as their mutual attraction grew, made me laugh. For me, Sweet Wattle Creek was a delightful, entertaining read, which kept my eyes pinned to the pages as I tried to work out the various secrets and lies at the core of this dysfunctional group of families over three generations.
May 9, 2022
4.5 stars
My first book by this author and I loved it, I knew I would as there’s just something alluring about a run-down grand hotel, antique wedding dress, secrets and two time periods set 60 years apart. Mix in a dash of suspense, a smidgen of romance, a mystery and you get a cracking good story.
It didn’t take long to listen to this spellbinding historical romance as each female character from the alternating time periods, 1931 and 1986 completely gripped my attention.
Sophie, 1986, discovers the wedding dress which sees her on a quest to finding the owner and Belle, 1931, leaves city life to claim her inheritance - a neglected grand hotel.
For anyone who enjoys books set in Australia this one is situated in the fictional town of Sweet Wattle Creek, rural Victoria.
My first book by this author and I loved it, I knew I would as there’s just something alluring about a run-down grand hotel, antique wedding dress, secrets and two time periods set 60 years apart. Mix in a dash of suspense, a smidgen of romance, a mystery and you get a cracking good story.
It didn’t take long to listen to this spellbinding historical romance as each female character from the alternating time periods, 1931 and 1986 completely gripped my attention.
Sophie, 1986, discovers the wedding dress which sees her on a quest to finding the owner and Belle, 1931, leaves city life to claim her inheritance - a neglected grand hotel.
For anyone who enjoys books set in Australia this one is situated in the fictional town of Sweet Wattle Creek, rural Victoria.
November 6, 2016
An antique wedding dress, unearthed after decades of being buried, ignites the story of Sweet Wattle Creek. Written by Kaye Dobbie, an Australian author, it is a novel that beautifully ties together the lives of three women, through one affective dress.
In the present day, the small town of Sweet Wattle Creek is undergoing preparations for their centenary celebration. Sophie is new to the town, working as a journalist at the local newspaper. She is the one who discovers the stunning antique wedding dress, donated for the centenary celebrations. The dress soon gets under Sophie’s skin, as she tries to find out its origins and ownership. Her investigations eventually lead her to Belle, a young woman who was once connected to the dress and the town of Sweet Wattle Creek in 1931. Belle is linked to Sweet Wattle Creek through the mysterious Martha Ambrose, a woman who bequeaths Belle a hotel establishment. All three women are bound together in some form or another to the tiny town of Sweet Wattle Creek and the wedding dress.
I loved this gentle Australian story, which is my second helping of Kaye Dobbie, an author I was introduced to through a previous novel, Colours of Gold. In general, I would describe Sweet Wattle Creek as having a light touch. However, it does deal with some important themes, such as small town rural life, war, the great depression, women’s rights, love, relationships, domestic violence and national identity. Sweet Wattle Creek offers a great blend of genres, from Australian small town fiction, crossed with historical fiction and it also contains some elements of suspense/mystery. The romance side is fairly understated in Sweet Wattle Creek, it is more a story about the agonising decisions the women in this novel make in relation to love. Dobbie makes the reader see these are women who face much adversity in their differing situations, despite the bridge of time. This allows the reader to easily sympathise with the characters in Sweet Wattle Creek. I admired the qualities of each of the characters based in both the present and the past in Sweet Wattle Creek. What I took away most from this story was the historical thread, which gave me significant insight into the struggles faced by Australia’s small towns. It is a book that worked to highlight the displacement felt by men returning from the First World War and the rise of travellers entering small towns in Australia. It definitely made Sweet Wattle Creek an enlightening read.
Sweet Wattle Creek was a pleasing novel, which held my attention from start to finish. I really enjoyed the connection between the present to the past, through the use of a wedding gown which was linked to the female protagonists. Sweet Wattle Creek is an engaging novel, from an author I am more than happy to recommend.
https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
In the present day, the small town of Sweet Wattle Creek is undergoing preparations for their centenary celebration. Sophie is new to the town, working as a journalist at the local newspaper. She is the one who discovers the stunning antique wedding dress, donated for the centenary celebrations. The dress soon gets under Sophie’s skin, as she tries to find out its origins and ownership. Her investigations eventually lead her to Belle, a young woman who was once connected to the dress and the town of Sweet Wattle Creek in 1931. Belle is linked to Sweet Wattle Creek through the mysterious Martha Ambrose, a woman who bequeaths Belle a hotel establishment. All three women are bound together in some form or another to the tiny town of Sweet Wattle Creek and the wedding dress.
I loved this gentle Australian story, which is my second helping of Kaye Dobbie, an author I was introduced to through a previous novel, Colours of Gold. In general, I would describe Sweet Wattle Creek as having a light touch. However, it does deal with some important themes, such as small town rural life, war, the great depression, women’s rights, love, relationships, domestic violence and national identity. Sweet Wattle Creek offers a great blend of genres, from Australian small town fiction, crossed with historical fiction and it also contains some elements of suspense/mystery. The romance side is fairly understated in Sweet Wattle Creek, it is more a story about the agonising decisions the women in this novel make in relation to love. Dobbie makes the reader see these are women who face much adversity in their differing situations, despite the bridge of time. This allows the reader to easily sympathise with the characters in Sweet Wattle Creek. I admired the qualities of each of the characters based in both the present and the past in Sweet Wattle Creek. What I took away most from this story was the historical thread, which gave me significant insight into the struggles faced by Australia’s small towns. It is a book that worked to highlight the displacement felt by men returning from the First World War and the rise of travellers entering small towns in Australia. It definitely made Sweet Wattle Creek an enlightening read.
Sweet Wattle Creek was a pleasing novel, which held my attention from start to finish. I really enjoyed the connection between the present to the past, through the use of a wedding gown which was linked to the female protagonists. Sweet Wattle Creek is an engaging novel, from an author I am more than happy to recommend.
https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
October 1, 2015
With a narrative alternating between the past and the present, Sweet Wattle Creek by Kaye Dobbie, also known as Sara Bennett and Lilly Sommers, tells the story of Belle Bartholomew and Sophie Matheson, two women haunted by the secrets of their pasts.
When her father commits suicide after losing his wealth during the post war depression, Belle Bartholomew is stunned to learn of the secrets he had been keeping. Eager to know more, she travels to Sweet Wattle Creek to claim her inheritance, a rundown hotel bequeathed to her by Martha Ambrose, and though Belle's questions put the locals offside, she is determined to solve the mystery of her birth.
Nearly sixty years later, reporter Sophie Matheson is enchanted by a vintage wedding dress donated to the Sweet Wattle Creek centenary celebrations. Intrigued by its mysterious provenance, Sophie begins to piece together the story of Belle and Charlie, and their connection to the old burnt out hotel on the town's fringe, unaware that her own past is catching up to her.
Both Belle and Sophie are appealing and sympathetic characters. Though their situations are very different they share a similar spirit, facing adversity with courage and determination.
Dobbie's portrayal of small town Australia during the 1930's is very well done. The community of Sweet Wattle Creek is still struggling with grief for their loved ones lost and injured in the Great War, and are worried about the impact of the post war depression, particularly as 'travellers' pass through their town. Dobbie skilfully communicates this tense atmosphere, and Belle's status as an outsider.
The mid 1980's is a fairly bland era by comparison but Dobbie is careful to ensure the period is reflected in the storyline. The local paper where Sophie works still uses a mechanical press to publish, archives are stored in the basement, and the single computer that saves data to floppy discs is still a novelty.
Most importantly, I thought the story was very well structured, both the historical and contemporary timelines complement each other well, and advance the plot as a whole. The pacing is good and the suspense builds nicely. There are some neat turns to the plot and I thought the conclusion was satisfying.
Sweet Wattle Creek is a well crafted and engaging tale combining mystery, drama and romance, and I'm happy to recommend it.
January 28, 2021
I'm a sucker for dual narrative historical fiction and Australian author Kaye Dobbie has created a wonderful tale of mystery for readers to unravel in Sweet Wattle Creek.
With two strong female protagonists (Belle in 1930s and Sophie in 1980s) both women end up leaving their troubles behind and moving to Sweet Wattle Creek, a small town in Victoria.
Belle inherits a hotel in town and Sophie works at the local newspaper while both women are trying to understand the past. Small town relationships and family secrets abound in this novel, and the author offers a solid commentary of post-war conditions in rural Australia which include grief and unemployment.
There's a real sense of the city and the country in both narratives, and being from Melbourne, I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes set in St. Kilda. I loved the small town touches throughout the novel, although I could have done without the romance between Sophie and Ian if I'm honest. Their investigative work together on the wedding dress was enough to keep me entertained.
If you enjoy novels by bestselling Australian author Kate Morton, then Sweet Wattle Creek is the book for you.
With two strong female protagonists (Belle in 1930s and Sophie in 1980s) both women end up leaving their troubles behind and moving to Sweet Wattle Creek, a small town in Victoria.
Belle inherits a hotel in town and Sophie works at the local newspaper while both women are trying to understand the past. Small town relationships and family secrets abound in this novel, and the author offers a solid commentary of post-war conditions in rural Australia which include grief and unemployment.
There's a real sense of the city and the country in both narratives, and being from Melbourne, I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes set in St. Kilda. I loved the small town touches throughout the novel, although I could have done without the romance between Sophie and Ian if I'm honest. Their investigative work together on the wedding dress was enough to keep me entertained.
If you enjoy novels by bestselling Australian author Kate Morton, then Sweet Wattle Creek is the book for you.
September 17, 2015
My View:
Kaye Dobbie has masterfully married two times fames to produce an exciting narrative that is both historical (1930’s) and contemporary (1980’s) fiction and there are aspects of life in both time periods that are relevant to the world we live in today. I found the history and social commentary of Australia between the wars and of the Great Depression illuminating; PTSD, the aftermath of war on families and communities, poverty, the role of women in society, unemployment were and are significant worldwide issues and it was exciting to learn a little more about this period by the device of using Sophie and Ian’s search for the provenance of the wedding dress.
Chapters alternate between the two periods and each chapter is clearly marked with the location, the year and whose voice we are listening to– Sophie’s (1980’s) or Belle’s (1930’s) – there is no chance of getting lost in this duality of time that sometimes happens in novels that employ this device – all is very clear and I thank the author for making it so – I never had to go back and re read to work out where I was or who I was listening to.
In both time periods we have protagonists that are strong, determined, resourceful and caring women. Dobbie writes her lead characters with poise, grace and humanity. The issue of small town attitudes and prejudices of the 1930’s – in particular the perceived social, economic and moral attitudes towards the “travellers,” the displaced victims of the Depression is comparable to attitudes today to the to the displaced people of Syria – the same fears and misconceptions surrounding their plight leapt out at me as I read this book. I think there is a lesson or two here we can all take from Belle and Michael’s attitudes of social responsibility.
Belle lived in a time of great upheaval, upheaval is a theme that is also prevalent in Sophie’s life too. Sophie’s story evokes much empathy and her situation is just as relevant to many women today as it was back in the 1980’s (no spoilers here.) Dobbie successfully reflects upon attitudes of the time as we discover more about the life and history of both female protagonists.
A blend of historical and contemporary fiction, with a dash of empathetic characters, drama, suspense and social commentary and Kaye Dobbie has created a recipe for success.
Kaye Dobbie has masterfully married two times fames to produce an exciting narrative that is both historical (1930’s) and contemporary (1980’s) fiction and there are aspects of life in both time periods that are relevant to the world we live in today. I found the history and social commentary of Australia between the wars and of the Great Depression illuminating; PTSD, the aftermath of war on families and communities, poverty, the role of women in society, unemployment were and are significant worldwide issues and it was exciting to learn a little more about this period by the device of using Sophie and Ian’s search for the provenance of the wedding dress.
Chapters alternate between the two periods and each chapter is clearly marked with the location, the year and whose voice we are listening to– Sophie’s (1980’s) or Belle’s (1930’s) – there is no chance of getting lost in this duality of time that sometimes happens in novels that employ this device – all is very clear and I thank the author for making it so – I never had to go back and re read to work out where I was or who I was listening to.
In both time periods we have protagonists that are strong, determined, resourceful and caring women. Dobbie writes her lead characters with poise, grace and humanity. The issue of small town attitudes and prejudices of the 1930’s – in particular the perceived social, economic and moral attitudes towards the “travellers,” the displaced victims of the Depression is comparable to attitudes today to the to the displaced people of Syria – the same fears and misconceptions surrounding their plight leapt out at me as I read this book. I think there is a lesson or two here we can all take from Belle and Michael’s attitudes of social responsibility.
Belle lived in a time of great upheaval, upheaval is a theme that is also prevalent in Sophie’s life too. Sophie’s story evokes much empathy and her situation is just as relevant to many women today as it was back in the 1980’s (no spoilers here.) Dobbie successfully reflects upon attitudes of the time as we discover more about the life and history of both female protagonists.
A blend of historical and contemporary fiction, with a dash of empathetic characters, drama, suspense and social commentary and Kaye Dobbie has created a recipe for success.
June 20, 2020
A decent light yarn set over dual time eras.
April 2, 2016
When an old wedding dress mistakenly lands on the steps of the newspaper where she works as a journalist, Sophie Matheson is intrigued by both the beauty of it as well as the two names written on the inside of the box. With the Centenary celebrations of Sweet Wattle Creek imminent, she determines that if she can figure out its provenance and the tale held within its lace, velvet and pearls, this could prove to be a worthy story to accompany the dress at its display.
Approaching Ian, the historian and co-ordinator of the event, together they begin to delve into the past to uncover the secrets that the dress keeps within its folds. But Sophie has her own secret, one which is fed to the reader piecemeal, heightening the mystery surrounding her presence in the small town. Being thrust into the limelight however, is one thing she never bargained on and, as a consequence, her carefully held secret is soon uncovered, bringing danger to the door that she has tried to keep shut so that her and her son remain safe.
In our historical timeline, we are introduced to Belle whose story is set during the Great Depression. A somewhat wealthy and sheltered young woman, she soon finds out that things may not be as they seem when her father suddenly dies and she is left to fit together the pieces of the puzzle around her heritage. It’s a journey of self-discovery and one that will take her from her gentrified upbringing to the dusty streets of Sweet Wattle Creek and the property she has mysteriously inherited. Met with the secretive veneer of the town residents who are averse to welcoming strangers into their midst, even in times of hardship, Belle, with her innocence, warmth and gentle nature will need to dig deep to figure out what it is she really wants.
Dual timelines are one of my favourite styles of writing because, basically, you’re getting two stories in one but it’s not often that an author manages to pull both off to perfection. Ultimately, most dual timelines will have one storyline which is stronger than the other – not in this case! Kaye Dobbie has done a brilliant job in weaving an aura of mystery around her two strong heroines – Belle in the historical timeline and Sophie in the contemporary – along with a fantastic sense of place which dragged me back in time to the Depression era (and back to the 1980’s) as I became equally invested in both these women’s stories. In her own words, Kaye describes Belle as a woman who “goes into emotional retreat but finds herself learning to live again” whilst Sophie “has to navigate a life she never expected to lead”.
Kaye writes with an authenticity that makes it obvious she has researched her subjects well and I cannot believe that I have not yet read anything by her before. In taking this wedding dress and weaving two different tales around it, she has layered it with history, family, grief, fear, second chances and love with plenty of mystery to keep the story moving forward.
In doing so, Kaye has sewn together the threads that tie the common problems of past eras to our very own. Domestic violence is just one of them and, given the fact that it has recently been highlighted in Australia as an urgent issue which needs to be addressed, I have no doubt that Sweet Wattle Creek will resonate with many.
From its stunning cover artwork to its great pacing and, despite the reason behind Sophie's presence in the town, this is a light and gentle read that will appeal to your imagination while it touches both your heart and your sentimental mind.
Approaching Ian, the historian and co-ordinator of the event, together they begin to delve into the past to uncover the secrets that the dress keeps within its folds. But Sophie has her own secret, one which is fed to the reader piecemeal, heightening the mystery surrounding her presence in the small town. Being thrust into the limelight however, is one thing she never bargained on and, as a consequence, her carefully held secret is soon uncovered, bringing danger to the door that she has tried to keep shut so that her and her son remain safe.
In our historical timeline, we are introduced to Belle whose story is set during the Great Depression. A somewhat wealthy and sheltered young woman, she soon finds out that things may not be as they seem when her father suddenly dies and she is left to fit together the pieces of the puzzle around her heritage. It’s a journey of self-discovery and one that will take her from her gentrified upbringing to the dusty streets of Sweet Wattle Creek and the property she has mysteriously inherited. Met with the secretive veneer of the town residents who are averse to welcoming strangers into their midst, even in times of hardship, Belle, with her innocence, warmth and gentle nature will need to dig deep to figure out what it is she really wants.
Dual timelines are one of my favourite styles of writing because, basically, you’re getting two stories in one but it’s not often that an author manages to pull both off to perfection. Ultimately, most dual timelines will have one storyline which is stronger than the other – not in this case! Kaye Dobbie has done a brilliant job in weaving an aura of mystery around her two strong heroines – Belle in the historical timeline and Sophie in the contemporary – along with a fantastic sense of place which dragged me back in time to the Depression era (and back to the 1980’s) as I became equally invested in both these women’s stories. In her own words, Kaye describes Belle as a woman who “goes into emotional retreat but finds herself learning to live again” whilst Sophie “has to navigate a life she never expected to lead”.
Kaye writes with an authenticity that makes it obvious she has researched her subjects well and I cannot believe that I have not yet read anything by her before. In taking this wedding dress and weaving two different tales around it, she has layered it with history, family, grief, fear, second chances and love with plenty of mystery to keep the story moving forward.
In doing so, Kaye has sewn together the threads that tie the common problems of past eras to our very own. Domestic violence is just one of them and, given the fact that it has recently been highlighted in Australia as an urgent issue which needs to be addressed, I have no doubt that Sweet Wattle Creek will resonate with many.
From its stunning cover artwork to its great pacing and, despite the reason behind Sophie's presence in the town, this is a light and gentle read that will appeal to your imagination while it touches both your heart and your sentimental mind.
October 31, 2015
Juggling between a 3 and a 4 star book for me……I do like a well thought out, two time period historical novel and I thought the historical part (1930’s) was well researched and done particularly well. The 1980’s was a little bit of a drag for me, but in saying that I still enjoyed the characters. If you are after a nice Sunday afternoon read that keeps you turning the pages to see how it all turns out, you will enjoy Sweet Wattle Creek. 3++
December 30, 2017
(I received a free copy of thi book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
The chance discovery of an antique wedding dress weaves together the fascinating stories of three women from different eras: Sophie, in hiding from a troubled past; Belle, who must lose everything to learn what really matters; and Martha, forced to give up those she loves in order to avoid exposure.
It’s 1931 and Belle Bartholomew has arrived in rural Sweet Wattle Creek to claim her inheritance – a run-down grand hotel formerly owned by Martha Ambrose. Determined to solve the mystery of her birth and the reason why she was bequeathed the hotel Belle runs into difficulties with the townsfolk and their desire to keep their secrets safe.
Sixty years later Sophie Matheson is on a quest to find Belle and her family after discovering the wedding dress. The Sweet Wattle Creek Centenary brings more challenges when her past catches up and she must fight for all that matters to her. Who were Belle and Martha and what links their lives together?
A pleasant surprise, this book. Went into this book with no expectations - didn't know the author, the plot sounded intriguing, and Harlequin usually release good books. There was a lot of good stuff to take from this novel:
1) The time period. A lot of Australian historical fiction is set either during either/both World Wars, or the years after World War 2. So, finding a story whose historical time frame was the 1930's was a great treat!
2) The characters. What an amazing bunch of characters Kaye Dobbie has drawn here. Hard to get just right, the mix of characters is just about perfect. From diamonds-in-the-rough, to rogues, to the rags-to-riches character, and the glamourous one...and they are just the minor characters! Both Sophie and Belle have wonderful story arcs that are both interesting and original. I found it very hard to drag myself away from their stories.
3) The twin plots: I sometimes get scared when I know there are parallel plots in a book. Some authors don't quite get it right - Kaye Dobbie does. The connection between the two plots - the history of the wedding dress, and the Belle's quest to discover her history - blend seamlessly into one stunning story.
The one downside, for me, was the romance between Sophie and Ian. I think if the author had kept their relationship to just finding out the history of the dress, it would have worked far better.
A highly recommended Australian historical fiction novel!
Paul
ARH
The chance discovery of an antique wedding dress weaves together the fascinating stories of three women from different eras: Sophie, in hiding from a troubled past; Belle, who must lose everything to learn what really matters; and Martha, forced to give up those she loves in order to avoid exposure.
It’s 1931 and Belle Bartholomew has arrived in rural Sweet Wattle Creek to claim her inheritance – a run-down grand hotel formerly owned by Martha Ambrose. Determined to solve the mystery of her birth and the reason why she was bequeathed the hotel Belle runs into difficulties with the townsfolk and their desire to keep their secrets safe.
Sixty years later Sophie Matheson is on a quest to find Belle and her family after discovering the wedding dress. The Sweet Wattle Creek Centenary brings more challenges when her past catches up and she must fight for all that matters to her. Who were Belle and Martha and what links their lives together?
A pleasant surprise, this book. Went into this book with no expectations - didn't know the author, the plot sounded intriguing, and Harlequin usually release good books. There was a lot of good stuff to take from this novel:
1) The time period. A lot of Australian historical fiction is set either during either/both World Wars, or the years after World War 2. So, finding a story whose historical time frame was the 1930's was a great treat!
2) The characters. What an amazing bunch of characters Kaye Dobbie has drawn here. Hard to get just right, the mix of characters is just about perfect. From diamonds-in-the-rough, to rogues, to the rags-to-riches character, and the glamourous one...and they are just the minor characters! Both Sophie and Belle have wonderful story arcs that are both interesting and original. I found it very hard to drag myself away from their stories.
3) The twin plots: I sometimes get scared when I know there are parallel plots in a book. Some authors don't quite get it right - Kaye Dobbie does. The connection between the two plots - the history of the wedding dress, and the Belle's quest to discover her history - blend seamlessly into one stunning story.
The one downside, for me, was the romance between Sophie and Ian. I think if the author had kept their relationship to just finding out the history of the dress, it would have worked far better.
A highly recommended Australian historical fiction novel!
Paul
ARH
June 13, 2025
I enjoyed this book as it took you on a journey through history when a wedding dress made by a well known Melbourne designer turned up at The Herald newspaper office in Sweet Wattle Creek. Sophie Matheson a writer for the paper collected the dress from the front door of the newspaper and took it across the road to Ian McKinnon who was organizing the Town's centenary celebrations. Between Sophie and Ian they decide to try and find the origins of the dress with their only clue, the names Belle and Charlie which are on the lid of the box the dress is in.
They start digging in both Sweet Wattle Creek and Melbourne and slowly put the pieces together to find out what happened to the couple and found lots of Bartholomew family secrets along the way!
They start digging in both Sweet Wattle Creek and Melbourne and slowly put the pieces together to find out what happened to the couple and found lots of Bartholomew family secrets along the way!
March 4, 2022
After some heavy and challenging reading for a course finished, I was looking for something different. This book was exactly what I needed. I have not read any other books by Kaye Dobbie, but have a feeling that is about to change. The way Kay wrote this story of three women and their connection to each other and a wedding dress was engaging and I appreciated the way Kaye wove the story together through the historical references, and the impact on families and communities in each time frame. It seems that hidden stories of secrets, lies and shame have always been around, but so have resilience, determination and strength. A great read.
May 18, 2024
This is a brilliant duel timeline book where Dobbie cleverly manages to slowly intergrate the lives of past and 1980s protagonists together by the end of the book. I love Dobbie's books. I've come to expect characters who seem real, great villains who the hero and heroine vanquish and beautiful love stories. I can well recommend this read. Dobbie is the best.
August 10, 2021
Excellent! Another great read by Ms Dobbie. A dual timeline set in the 1980s and 1930s in a small town in Victoria, Australia this book centres on the mystery of an old wedding dress with a touch of romance thrown into the mix. A quick read but thoroughly entertaining.
September 6, 2017
I love the way you read the story from two different eras and it gradually comes together. I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to find out what was going on as much as the characters did.
November 25, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this Australian work.
May 6, 2018
I found this a bit slow to start with but it eventually grew on me and I enjoyed the story in the end.
September 27, 2021
I always like books that involve different time periods. This one did a good job of keeping some parts unknown until the end. Other parts were fairly predictable. All in all it was very enjoyable.
October 12, 2015
This is the story of three women through time, though the wedding dress in question links Sophie and Belle more than it links them to Martha. However, that is an incidental point in the end. This is the story of three women, each defined by the time in which they find themselves and trying to do the right thing.
Kaye Dobbie’s writing is comfortable, it’s almost as if you know these women already despite the vast differences between the times you, the reader, are in and theirs. I think though, that is a testament to the universal nature of what these women go through – a better way to describe their situations is perhaps to say that Martha, Belle and Sophie all experience things that have been constant in women’s lives, no matter the time they live in.
That’s a rather depressing thought, now that I think about it. Martha gives up her child because of the scandal surrounding her birth, while a generation later, her daughter Belle endures family and financial scandals. Then, in the present day – well, 1980s – Sophie is on the run with her son from a violent ex. She’s so afraid of him, that she changes her name and her son’s before settling down in Sweet Wattle Creek.
Don’t let the different eras throw you – this story is simply about strong women, caught up in events that force them to make tough choices.
Of the three, Martha is more world-weary I think. She knows the society in which she lives will never forgive her for her “transgressions”, and she does what she can to save her daughter from that stigma that would come from her actions. Martha is present for too short a time, I think for her story and Belle’s were the ones that interested me the most.
Belle, when we meet her, is young and innocent in some ways, and in others she is well on the path to the same world-weariness Martha exhibits. The Great Depression forces her to grow up, and to move on from her the life she knew with her father. It’s then that Belle blossoms, coming into her own as a character and makes a new life for herself. It’s not as easy as I describe it, and her story is the one with the most interesting cast of supporting characters, and time, I think.
Sophie is hiding under an assumed name with her son when we meet her. She is comfortable in her new life, as much as she can allow herself to be, at least knowing her ex is still out there wanting to get to her and their son. She allows herself to get drawn into an investigation of a wedding dress that is accidentally delivered to her job at a newspaper. From there, she learns to let herself live again, to love – a lesson her investigation teaches her because the wedding dress belonged to Belle.
Happiness was never where these women thought it would be in Sweet Wattle Creek. But the beauty of this gentle story is that it can be found again if you’re willing to be brave enough to reach for it.
Kaye Dobbie’s writing is comfortable, it’s almost as if you know these women already despite the vast differences between the times you, the reader, are in and theirs. I think though, that is a testament to the universal nature of what these women go through – a better way to describe their situations is perhaps to say that Martha, Belle and Sophie all experience things that have been constant in women’s lives, no matter the time they live in.
That’s a rather depressing thought, now that I think about it. Martha gives up her child because of the scandal surrounding her birth, while a generation later, her daughter Belle endures family and financial scandals. Then, in the present day – well, 1980s – Sophie is on the run with her son from a violent ex. She’s so afraid of him, that she changes her name and her son’s before settling down in Sweet Wattle Creek.
Don’t let the different eras throw you – this story is simply about strong women, caught up in events that force them to make tough choices.
Of the three, Martha is more world-weary I think. She knows the society in which she lives will never forgive her for her “transgressions”, and she does what she can to save her daughter from that stigma that would come from her actions. Martha is present for too short a time, I think for her story and Belle’s were the ones that interested me the most.
Belle, when we meet her, is young and innocent in some ways, and in others she is well on the path to the same world-weariness Martha exhibits. The Great Depression forces her to grow up, and to move on from her the life she knew with her father. It’s then that Belle blossoms, coming into her own as a character and makes a new life for herself. It’s not as easy as I describe it, and her story is the one with the most interesting cast of supporting characters, and time, I think.
Sophie is hiding under an assumed name with her son when we meet her. She is comfortable in her new life, as much as she can allow herself to be, at least knowing her ex is still out there wanting to get to her and their son. She allows herself to get drawn into an investigation of a wedding dress that is accidentally delivered to her job at a newspaper. From there, she learns to let herself live again, to love – a lesson her investigation teaches her because the wedding dress belonged to Belle.
Happiness was never where these women thought it would be in Sweet Wattle Creek. But the beauty of this gentle story is that it can be found again if you’re willing to be brave enough to reach for it.
October 12, 2015
The image of discovering an old couture wedding dress really appeals to me. There’s an air of something very romantic –not only of the fact that it’s a wedding dress but of the possibilities of its story or rather the original owner’s story. As a reader, I think, you’d be able to relate in the similarities of finding an old book –the potential of what it has seen since it’s been printed. The smell of its history is practically irresistible.
Sweet Wattle Creek is the story of two women across time, connected by the tenuous thread of a wedding gown, in rediscovering oneself. Both Sophie (current) and Belle (past) have experienced grief / trauma that practically incapacitated them but something has happened in each their lives that reminded them what living is all about. Whilst Sophie is running from her dangerous past, Belle insisted on knowing her mysterious past despite the threats she’s felt against her identity of self. They must both decide whether happiness is worth fighting for or not.
Throughout the tale, there is a slight sinister air about the past of both women. Whilst one secret was no surprise, the mystery of other was well concealed until near the very end. It was not as sinister as it could’ve been and in a way, it was a relief! It was, however, a fairly good mystery that kept me guessing. Overall, Sweet Wattle Creek is a lovely story that kept me reading as I cheer these women on.
Thanks Harlequin (Australia) MIRA for eARC via NetGally in exchange of honest review
Sweet Wattle Creek is the story of two women across time, connected by the tenuous thread of a wedding gown, in rediscovering oneself. Both Sophie (current) and Belle (past) have experienced grief / trauma that practically incapacitated them but something has happened in each their lives that reminded them what living is all about. Whilst Sophie is running from her dangerous past, Belle insisted on knowing her mysterious past despite the threats she’s felt against her identity of self. They must both decide whether happiness is worth fighting for or not.
Throughout the tale, there is a slight sinister air about the past of both women. Whilst one secret was no surprise, the mystery of other was well concealed until near the very end. It was not as sinister as it could’ve been and in a way, it was a relief! It was, however, a fairly good mystery that kept me guessing. Overall, Sweet Wattle Creek is a lovely story that kept me reading as I cheer these women on.
Thanks Harlequin (Australia) MIRA for eARC via NetGally in exchange of honest review
October 1, 2015
I liked the premise of the story. The dual timeline in this book told through Belle's character in the 1930's and Sophie's character in 1986. The story was a tangled web of secrets that just got deeper as the story progressed. Characters who faced the stresses of an era where judgement and times were so much harsher. There were parts of this book I liked reading, but the story felt like it often dragged out. Sophie and Belle's character had it tough for very different reasons in this story and their plights pull at the heartstrings for sure.
3 stars
Review copy received from the Publisher
3 stars
Review copy received from the Publisher
November 9, 2016
After a slow, no confusing start, this book developed into one of my favourite stories and I will certainly be on the look out for more of Kaye Dobbie's audio books, if possible.
Once the plots are set, this story is one of romance, intrigue, family disputes and becomes very easy to follow. Most of all the ending is.........well you will just have to read it for yourself!
Once the plots are set, this story is one of romance, intrigue, family disputes and becomes very easy to follow. Most of all the ending is.........well you will just have to read it for yourself!
December 2, 2015
What a great story. Kept me up late reading. Again Kaye writes in 2 different time lines but they come together nicely in the end. Might have to find her other books she has written under different names.
September 5, 2016
This took me forever to read after many on again off again reads - the story is OK but didn't really hold my interest, the jumping around time periods didn't meld for me and I found it a bit disjointed
December 19, 2016
First book that I've read by this author and I loved it you have to keep reading to see what happens. You so badly want the modern day people to unravel the mysteries of the past so you turn page after page to see if they do.
Highly recommend
Highly recommend
April 22, 2020
disappointing ending after a looong suspenseful build up through the whole book.
June 3, 2016
I really enjoy the way this author writes, alternating historical & modern chapters of linked stories.
March 3, 2016
Really enjoyed both the story and the way it was told.
Kudos, Kaye Dobbie!
Kudos, Kaye Dobbie!
June 23, 2016
Really enjoyed this book, interesting story 50years apart.
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