Sarah Willis longs to free herself from the expectations of a privileged upbringing, while Winston Keller can’t afford the luxury of a dream. Despite their differences, the pair are drawn together in a whirlwind romance that defies the boundaries of class. But when a dark family secret pulls the young lovers apart, and WWII plunges the world into chaos, it seems impossible they will ever find their way back to each other – or even hold onto the dream of what might have been.
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I LOVED this book! Perfect historical romance. Sarah Willis lives a very privileged life but not a particularly happy one. She meets Winston Keller when he is trying to get work at a society party she’s attending. The two are instantly drawn to each other and their relationship progresses despite the disapproval of Sarah’s father and a similar reluctance from Winston’s family. They discover there is a dark secret from the past linking the two families and this tears the couple apart, as does World War 2. The story is divided into five parts, each told from a different perspective. The book is very well researched, with some harrowing descriptions of Winston’s war experiences. Characters are well drawn and believable. Denise, QLD, 5 stars
This novel is set around World War 2 This book is set in the 1940’s around Western Australia. A great Australian classic and what life was like in World War 2. My Favourite characters were Sarah and Winston because of the friendship they first made led them to them both being daring and risk taking in their young lives. The characters felt very real to me because they did not let their dreams die they followed them through. The character I did not like was Duncan, who was very much a bully and had to get his friends to help him win fights and arguments. Despite Sarah and Winstons Family differences and secrets they keep seeing each other, till despite these secrets Winston leaves and Sarah is worried. Sarah keeps in touch hoping for news of Winstons Whereabouts. Her father is trying to set Sarah up for Marriage much to Sarahs defiance. She goes to a dance with her best friend Marly, when a storm and rain sets in landing Sarah in a puddle of water, her rescuer is the Handsome American Lieutenant Nick Anderson. They strike up a friendship. I found The Distance between Dreams to be a beautifully written Australian love story that I could not put down. I would recommend it to everyone to read. Thank you Emily Paull for a great Novel. Janelle, NSW, 5 stars
What an absolutely wonderful read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. Two people from different upbringings, a war and enough history to make it real. I love the story of Sarah and Winston and their back stories as well. This book has it all. A love story, a story of family, war, differences and trying to mend from things that happened in the past. This is a book that will draw you in to the family and the dramas, the love and the healing and it will keep you reading from start to finish. A book that is well worth reading with great characters and a enough depth to make an interesting and intriguing story. Donna, TAS, 5 stars
I loved this book from the first page. Although a love story, the book shares an insight of differing classes and family values, along with love, loss and finally awakening. Emily Paull’s writing style saw me transported to both a young Western Australia before and during war, and the horrors of a Prisoner of War Camp. This is a story told remarkably well. Janice, WA, 5 stars
The Distance Between Dreams begins in Fremantle, Western Australia in 1939, the story showcases the extremes between social classes. Winston and Sarah meet at a society party where Winston had hoped to work as a waiter to help his parents with their living expenses. Sarah and Winston meet outside the party and she invites him in as her date. Unbeknownst to them there is history between their families, the secrets their parents hold will create trouble in their relationship. They continue to meet secretly but Sarah’s parents are determined to choose a husband for her. She is not prepared to let this happen. At the same time Winston needs to get to the bottom of the what has happened between their fathers. With WW2 looming and Australia becoming involved Winston learns more about the feud, feels the best solution is to leave the town with Sarah. She refuses to go and he leaves without her. Sarah is left not knowing what has happened to him. Written in five parts and over two timelines, we discover the truth of rift between families. But as the years of war pass decisions are made that will destroy any chance of a future as a couple should Winston ever return home. I believe Emily Paull will become a very popular historical fiction writer and I look forward to her next book. Karen, VIC, 5 stars
The Distance Between Dreams is a love story. It is a story that spans generations and explores family dynamics and relationships, and how following your heart can be fraught with obligations and expectations, as well as societal norms. I enjoyed the writing in this book and found myself easily immersed in the different settings in which the story develops. Overall a really good read. Julie, VIC, 5 stars
The Distance Between Dreams by Emily Paull is an outstanding example of historical fiction in the time of WWII with nods to love, family tensions and upper/lower class. I was drawn to Winston and Sarah, their separate and combined struggles send tears flowing. The war descriptions were informative, heartbreaking and inspirational. A thoroughly enjoyable read! Well done Emily. Bec, TAS, 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Fantastic love story that keeps you intrigued. Characters to love dearly and other characters to dislike…..perfect weekend binge read. Highly recommend for those who enjoy a romance novel. Amanda, SA, 5 stars
This is the age-old story of boy meets girl, they fall in love, mum and dad are not happy, despite all the turmoil their love deepens. Then throw in the Second World War, a previous family secret and things being left unsaid. This is a beautiful love story, and you find yourself hoping that everything works out. Sarah is a delightful character, I just wanted to give her a hug so many times. In the end I wanted to know what happened after the book finished. Loved this book. Janet, NSW, 5 stars
A love story that is beautifully told. It is the story of Sarah and Winston who come from very different families and backgrounds but this doesn’t stop them from falling in love, prior to WWII. Sadly, it is not only the war that pulls the lovers apart but also their families. We are taken back a generation to learn of the secrets and the feud between the two families. Can love survive so many hurdles? A historical story of family secrets, first time love and war time separation. A truly great read. Karyn, ACT, 5 stars
The Distance Between Dreams by Emily Paull is a story of those who have and those who have not. It is a story of war and the effects on everyone – and it is a story of love. Sarah Willis is privileged by society standards, but feels hemmed in by her father and his expectations. Winston Keller is just trying to survive with family and his best mate. Sarah and Winston are drawn together one evening and have a whirlwind romance before reality and doubts creep in. There is also a secret involving both families that needs to come to light. When all this combines the lovers are torn apart – and then World War Two provides chaos for everyone involved, and the wider world.Through all the ups and downs, and life changes can the lovers reunite or are they destined to each others memories? The side characters helped fill out Sarah and Winston’s stories and bring everything to life. This is a sad reminder of difficult times and class divides. I appreciated the timeline so we could get to see how many situations played out and the ways in which people changed over time. We need books like these to remind us of our past and show us we’re not that different today as people. Tara, SA, 5 stars
This historical fiction novel was such a page turner that I finished it over a weekend. A well written, enchanting tale of love and sacrifice in the midst of chaos during World War 2. Based in Fremantle Western Australia, the story unfolds with two young loves trying to understand a darkly held secret between their families. They break up and he leaves for war is soon captured by the enemy and she suffers silently with her overbearing cruel father. The story unfolds rapidly. You need to make yourself available to read as it progresses quickly. I am so grateful for my life reading of the struggles of those in the late 1930s Australia. Preeya, QLD, 5 stars
Started this book within an hour of the package been opened, thank goodness I had the next day at home. I was so wrapped up in the story that I basically did only what was necessary as I was so engrossed in the story. The story was beautifully written and went from first love to families and unspoken events to world war 2 tearing families apart. People dealing with loss and words that were spoken in haste, a real page turner that I thoroughly enjoyed. Glenys, NSW, 5 stars
‘The distance between dreams’ is an absolutely thrilling read. Thrilling, for the simple fact that Emily Paull is a relatively new author, and we, as readers, get to join her amazing journey from near the beginning. Sarah and Winston, the main characters, help bring to life the world of Western Australia in the 1940’s with their bravery, tenacity and ability to adapt to all that is happening around them. They will still have you doubting some of their decisions, but what is a truly great character without indecision and mistakes to learn from? Each individual in the novel plays their part beautifully and by the end, this reader was left hoping for a second novel, not only to follow Sarah and Winston’s journey wherever it leads next but also to venture further into the lives of some of the other main protagonists. Emily Paull is certainly an author to watch out for with what should be a long and brilliant career. Suzanne, VIC, 5 stars
Sarah and Winston are an Australian Romeo and Juliet, a young woman with a powerful wealthy father and a young g man with from a family that struggles to keep a roof over their heads. A chance encounter quickly develops into romance. However their fathers have a prior history which will thwart their plans. 1940s Fremantle is vividly depicted, as is the impact of WW2 at home and and in Asia. Circumstances force the lovers apart. A beautifully written novel, heartwarming and I sightful. Recommended reading! Terese, TAS, 4 stars
We meet Winston as he is heading to a party with his best mate Lachie to find a job with the catering staff. Due to their lateness Winston is not offered a job and heads back out. When leaving he meets the most beautiful girl he has ever seen wearing a dress the colour of sunshine. Sarah, not wanting to head into the party alone, takes Winston inside to be her date. During this one night Winston falls in love, not knowing exactly who he was falling in love with. Sarah’s father is the owner of Willis Cigarette and Winston’s father is not. Winston comes from a loving, although poor family. Sarah comes from a rich and controlling family. Both families know heartbreak and have secrets they wish could stay that way. Winston and Sarah continue their friendship/love story despite the animosity from Sarah’s father. Winston, having saved as much money as he can heads to Sarah’s to ask her father for her hand in marriage. He of course refuses and Winston is devastated when Sarah doesn’t run away with him. Winston heads away to find work where he can and when WWII comes along he like so many other young men enlist and head overseas. Sarah left at home, without Winston and without any details as to why her father hates Winston and his family so much. She heads to her aunts to be away from her father and seek answers to her families secrets. Not having any word from Winston, Sarah allows herself to fall in love again with the dashing American solder Nick. This is a beautiful love story between two young people who have a chance meeting, but do they get their fairytale? Nicole, VIC, 4 stars
I loved this book. A story of love, family secrets and discovering the truth. Highly recommend to anyone who loves a good love story. Raelene, QLD, 4 stars
This is a wonderful book! It’s a beautiful love story that follows Sarah and Winston, who come from very different families and their upbringing and backgrounds are vastly different. During the start of World War II, they fall in love but life pulls them apart, and the story goes back a generation to explore the problems and tensions between the two families. There’s a lot to enjoy in this book. It’s a story about love, war, and how the past can shape the present. Love can withstand so much, even war. Tiahne, QLD, 4 stars
Lovely easy to read romance which kept me guessing till the end, involving family drama and the Second World War. I really enjoyed this novel Michelle, VIC, 4 stars
The Distance between Dreams by Emily Paull is a beautifully written coming of age love story about Winston Keller and Sarah Willis. Drawn together dispite coming from opposite sides of the tracks. The Willis’ have money the Kellers don’t. Set in 1940s Fremantle, they meet by chance at a party, Sarah is a guest and Winston is there looking for work. Their romance begins. The story follows their lives, the ups and downs, friends, a family secret threatening to keep them apart, lies, war, honour, trying to stay true to themselves. Some characters are likeable, trying to do what they think is the right thing, others are selfish and manipulative and don’t care who they step on to get what they want. This is an easy feel good read. Theresa, NSW, 4 stars
This was a lovely book, essentially a love story, but with plenty of substance included. The love story is between Sarah and Winston at the start of WW2, and the two have had very different upbringings. As often happens, the two are pulled apart, and the book goes back a generation to understand the difficulties between the two families. There is much to enjoy in this book. It is a story of war time, and of love, and of how history can make its presence felt. A very enjoyable read. Karen, VIC, 4 stars
The Distance Between Dreams was a beautifully written tale of star crossed lovers against the backdrop of World War Two. I was immediately drawn into the world of Sarah and Winston, and was invested in their story until the very end. A great read for Australian historical fiction lovers. Hannah, SA, 3 stars
Sarah and Winston meet at a party, have instant chemistry, but coming from different classes, their courtship was never going to be easy. An old family secret tears them apart before they’ve really even started. They try to live their lives during the hard war years but they both are always thinking about each other and what might have been. This was a nice story but for me, too predictable and a little slow in places. I did enjoy the historical aspect and the author’s depiction of the prisoner camps. The conditions and things the prisoners had to endure was very well written, although disturbing, but what happened, happened. Katrina, VIC, 3 stars
The storyline was enough to keep me going however the writing style was so simplistic that I almost didn’t finish this. I felt the style and subject matter didn’t marry well. I do think it’ll be well received though, because the plot was enough to hold the audience. Melanie, NSW, 3 stars
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