The Bellbird River Country Choir in Aussie Readers

Aug 02, 2022 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 3500-2022, 2022-release, aussie-authors, contemporary-fiction, arc, own-read

In 1998 the quiet little NSW town of Bellbird River had residents both old and new, and Alex and her eleven year old daughter Kim were two of the new ones. Alex was a single mum and leaving Sydney meant she would get to spend more time with Kim. Alex taught at the high school adjoining the primary where Kim was, but with Kim being bullied, Alex wasn't sure what to do. Victoria had been in Bellbird River all her life and now that her opera singer cousin Gabrielle had returned home, and Victoria h ...more

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Aug 04, 2022 Helen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-copy-from-publisher

I know when I open a Sophie Green book I am going to make friends with the characters who are in the story and this one was no exception, this time we meet in Bellbird River a small country town near Tamworth in NSW, where country music reigns, but this choir doesn’t sing that much country and western they sing pop and wonderful songs that I could almost hear them singing, as these five woman come together and put their pasts behind them and look to the future.

Alex is a single mum to eleven year I know when I open a Sophie Green book I am going to make friends with the characters who are in the story and this one was no exception, this time we meet in Bellbird River a small country town near Tamworth in NSW, where country music reigns, but this choir doesn’t sing that much country and western they sing pop and wonderful songs that I could almost hear them singing, as these five woman come together and put their pasts behind them and look to the future.

Alex is a single mum to eleven year old Kim and a school teacher, living in the city, is putting so much pressure on her and she decides on a move to the country hoping that it will be good for them both, but Kim is not settling in.

Debbie is a newcomer to the town and has a past that she would rather keep to herself for the time being, but maybe here she can reconnect with the people she loves.

Victoria is the town matriarch and when her life suddenly changes it is time for a re-think about her future, when her operatic singer, Cousin Gabrielle suddenly arrives back home after being away for many years, Gabrielle too has had a big change in her life.

Janine is the local baker and keeps to herself she has her own problems from her past and when someone from her past arrives this causes her more thought.

These ladies come together in the local choir conducted by Warrick, some are shy and keep to themselves but singing can open up so many emotions and it is not long before some are opening up to each other and you can see them changing and leaving the past behind, but will they all find what they are looking for, being there for each other is a great way to start.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story it is beautifully written filled with emotion and feelings and an openness about incidents that can change people in so many ways and then to see them find their way forward, it is an uplifting and feel good story. I do highly recommend this one, it is a fabulous read.

My thanks to Hachette AU for my copy to read and review.
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Aug 04, 2022 Kathryn rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, 4-stars, australian-authors, 2022-reading-list, 2022-aty

Easy to read, great for the beach. I got a bit sick at times of all the harping on about the dead-beat men - I got the point and agreed, I just think it could have been shorter!

I didn't enjoy this as much as The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle, but it was still a good read. ...more

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Oct 09, 2022 Catsalive rated it really liked it

Shelves: aww, 2022

A lovely tale of relationships, getting on with it, & small town living, with its benefits & deficits. I loved the setting in country NSW near Tamworth, so nice to be out in the bush with the grey-greens & magpies.

I don't feel I got to know the characters as well as I did in Thursdays at Orange Blossom House or The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club, so it didn't leave me as fulfilled as those two earlier books. Maybe it was one character too many to control.

I did appreciate that ...more

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