Bellbird River, 1998: Teacher and single mum Alex is newly arrived in the small NSW country town of Bellbird River after escaping the city in search of a change of pace and the chance to reconnect with her young daughter. Across town, well-known matriarch Victoria and her globe-trotting, opera-singing cousin Gabrielle find themselves at a crossroads in their personal and professional lives, while local baker Janine and newcomer to the district Debbie are each secretly dealing with the consequences of painful pasts.
With its dusty streets, lone pub and iron-lace verandahs, Bellbird River could just be a pit stop on the road to somewhere else. But their town holds some secrets and surprises – and it has a heart: the Bellbird River Country Choir.
Amid the melodies and camaraderie of the choir, each of the women will find the courage to leave the past behind. And together, they’ll discover that friends are much closer to home than they’d ever realised.
Get swept up in a warm-hearted story of fresh beginnings, unexpected friendships and the sustaining power of love and community, from the bestselling author of The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle. Sophie Green has carved a niche in telling stories about charming small-town communities of eclectic characters who unite around a shared interest. Last year’s Thursdays at Orange Blossom House, which was popular with BR readers, revolved around a yoga class, while Green’s latest novel is tied together by the community choir.
Bellbird River is a fictional town near Tamworth, and like its famous neighbour, Bellbird River has a penchant for country music. Green loves this genre too, writing a country music blog in her spare time. Check out the QR code on the back cover for a playlist of all the songs featured in the novel.
If you’re a fan of books set in small country towns, it’s hard to go past Bellbird River. The novel moves between multiple narrators over the course of 1998, all of whom have come to Bellbird River for different reasons. Readers are bound to find something relatable in each narrator’s story, share a laugh and get swept up in the music.
Fans of Tricia Stringer and Joanna Nell will devour The Bellbird River Country Choir. It’s a warm treat perfect for a slow weekend.
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