A Wonderful Sequel: Read Our Review of Her Time to Shine by Fiona McCallum

Sometimes serendipity comes knocking, and life leads us to the most surprising places. It’s never too late to find your true self…

While very pretty, the tiny town of Melrose isn’t where Erica thought she’d be at almost fifty. And working in a funeral home and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, while navigating her grief as a recent widow, is not how she thought her life would look either. But she’s committed to her lovely new boss, Walter, who gave her a chance when she so desperately needed it.

Erica’s friends and daughters back in Adelaide cheer her on as she discovers a genuine love for her new job, forms friendships and immerses herself in the local community. But why is she being plagued with fresh bouts of anxiety and flashes of partial memories of her brother Mark who died when she was eleven? Why is there so much about him she doesn’t know and can’t remember? And why does it feel like it’s more about her than him?

But she has to put it all aside when, despite being happy and settled, Erica is suddenly called upon to step up and face her deepest fear. If she can, what will she discover about herself and her past? And what will it mean for her future?

From Australia’s master storyteller comes this tender story about finding strength and fulfilment after major upheaval, and discovering you can only outrun your true calling for so long.

If you read Fiona McCallum’s Trick of the Light last year, you’ll know what a heartfelt, introspective journey protagonist Erica went on after the death of her husband. Now, in McCallum’s much-anticipated sequel Her Time to Shine, Erica finds herself in the South Australian town of Melrose looking for a fresh start.

We’ve already witnessed much of Erica’s healing process in the previous book, but Her Time to Shine focuses on the renewal of her character as she truly comes to terms with where her life is. Change is one of the hardest things to accept in life, and Erica’s vulnerability was as refreshing as it was relatable. Erica has become one of those characters who feels more like a close friend than a fictional creation – a testament to McCallum’s masterful character work.

Whenever I pick up one of McCallum’s books, I’m instantly transported into the heart of her stories. Through tender prose and beautifully complex characters, McCallum has delivered a fantastic follow-up that you won’t want to miss.

Buy a copy of Her Time to Shine here.