A fabulous book which I could not put down. Really easy to read, gripping and wonderfully told story that I would recommend to others!!

This is a beautifully written story set from 1937 through to 1994, that takes the reader on an extensive tour of some lovely Asian countries, we also visit the World War 2 years and Tasmania such a beautiful rugged place, the descriptions of all places made me feel like I was there and then of course are the characters who have been bought to life especially, Marina, I do hope that you come along and meet Marina this strong woman one who I admired so much.

Young Marina Fairbrother is seventeen years old and has lived her life in the logging town of Mole Creek, it is 1937 and life is what it is but when she meets Jory Trevelyan at a dance he tells her tales of the place he lives on the wild west coast, strong winds and wild seas and she is off to start a new life with Jory a complete change for her but life on the coast has soon wormed its way into Marina’s life and blood and her and Jory have three children over the years when he is not at sea fishing or fighting in WW11. Life wasn’t always easy but Marina thrived through heartache and joy.

It is 1993 and life is throwing curve balls at Marina again with a terminal diagnosis she signs herself out of hospital because she knows the only place she wants to be is at Noamunga the place she has lived for more than half a century now, all her memories are here, her life with Jory her true love, her children, the war years and the sea and cliffs, but her children have different ideas for Marina, Charlotte who is all self- ambition, a son who really has himself in trouble are making them known to her but Marina is nothing if not stubborn and determined to live the rest of her lifer her way.

This is a fabulous story that had me enthralled from the start a family all different and a woman who knew how to stand up for herself and those she loves, the settings are wonderful so many places to visit, this is one that I would highly recommend, I think Marina is one of the strongest woman characters I have ever read.

My thanks the Netgalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review

A chance meeting at a local dance changes the path of 17 year old Marina Fairbrother's life dramatically. Leaving her home amongst the timber country of Mole Creek, she accompanies Jory Trevalyan, a fisherman, to his home on the wild and windswept west coast of Tasmania. Here the Southern Ocean continually batters the land. Marina comes to fiercely love the remoteness of Noamunga despite the hardships, the uncertainty and loneliness when Jory puts to sea. She also has to contend with the menacing presence of Jory's father.

Now in her 70s and diagnosed with a terminal illness, Marina checks out of the hospital to return to Noamunga. Her family's negative response to her decision is what she expected, but she is determined to end her days in the place that she loves best, surrounded by her memories, good and bad. Those memories, and the action in the present day which ranges to India, Thailand and back to Tasmania, combine in another heartwarming story from a master of the family saga.

I've been a fan of J.H. Fletcher since reading The Governor's House. His books are always satisfying. I especially enjoy how he fills his stories with diverse characters but always at the core is an independent and intelligent woman, in this case Marina, with a sense of adventure, willing to take a gamble on what life has to offer.

Like all mothers, Marina is aware of her children's strengths and weaknesses, and refuses to be bullied by them to sell Noamunga for their own selfish reasons. It is gratifying that all three: Charlotte, Tamsin and Greg, come to realise that through their mother's stance to protect Noamunga, there is more to life than acquiring money and status.

Fletchers descriptions of the landscape always hit the mark too. They give a better understanding of the love of the land that so many of his female protagonists share.

Stars Over the Southern Ocean is another pleasurable read from this author and one I'm happy to recommend.

What a remarkable story this has been. Marina Trevelyan is one of the strongest heroines I’ve ever encountered. Her life is no walk in the park but she takes her challenges on the chin. Marina is the central thread that runs through this story and around her the other characters move. Her three children, Self-centred Charlotte, focused and driven Tamsyn and fairytale dreamer Gregory each have their place in this story as does her husband Jory but Marina is at the core of all their stories. Stars over the Southern Ocean spans much of Marina’s life from the time she moved to Noamunga on Tasmania’s harsh west coast to the twilight of her life in 1993 where she’s facing the prospect of her death. This story is both compelling and intriguing as it reveals the challenges facing Marina and her children. It showcases a lifestyle that is at odds with our technological world and had me as a reader questioning the worth of possessions when compared with taking happiness and a sense of fulfilment from each day lived. I loved this book.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Australia, J. H. Fletcher for my copy of Stars Over the Southern Ocean.

In 1937, Marina Fairbrother lives with her ramshackle family in a little logging town in Tasmania called Mole Creek and one night at a CWA dance she meets handsome Jory Trevelyan. He’s visiting his uncle the local butcher, he lives on the remote rugged west coast of the island where the winds are fierce, seas are rough and you need to be strong to survive. Marina is intrigued by Jory Trevelyan and the stories he shares about where he lives and she decides on impulse to leave her family and go with him. Jory’s family property is called Noamunga, his dad Marrek and mum Ellen also live in the old weather beaten house and Jory works on a fishing boat.

The book has a dual timeline, it works well and I had no trouble following the story.

In 1993, Marina receives the news she has terminal cancer and checks herself out of hospital; and she wants to spend what time she has left at Noamunga. Her home of fifty years, she loves the old place, she has many happy memories of her life with Jory and her three children were all born there. Her children ages are spaced out due to their dad Jory joining the Australian Navy during WW II, Charlotte was born before the war and Tamsyn and Gregory after the war ended.

Her daughters are very concerned about her leaving hospital, both visit her and Charlotte has more on her mind than her mother’s health. Marina lives in a beautiful area, the property has been owned by the Trevelyan family for over hundred years and she doesn’t want to sell it. An oil company is very interested in her land, Marina doesn’t want the rugged coastline ruined, or jeopardize the marine creatures and wild life.

Stars Over the Southern Ocean looks at the complex relationships Marina has had during her life, both in the past and in the present. Marina is no push over; she loves her children, of course worries about them and her children are all very different. Marina has lived a good life; she’s determined to leave behind a lasting legacy and she follows her heart. I enjoyed reading Stars Over the Southern Ocean, the first book I have read by J. H. Fletcher, I gave it four stars and it won’t be my last.

Marina Fairbrother had known no other life than that of Mole Creek, but the night she went to the local dance and met the stranger who was only in town for one night, her destiny changed. Accompanying Jory Trevelyan back to his home on the opposite side of Tasmania, to the property of Noamunga near the town of Boulders, where the wild southern ocean made an impact on the house and its inhabitants, filled her with excitement and trepidation. But she was seventeen and full of youth and a strength she didn’t know she had.

Marina lived her life quietly beside Jory and her in-laws until Jory went to war. Once again things changed, life moved forward, three children were born and Noamunga gave Marina and her family a good, solid life. Now, at seventy-three years of age, Marina was nearing the end of her life. She had no thoughts of leaving the home that had nurtured her for the past fifty plus years. But others saw differently. What would be the outcome for Marina and her three children, each one different to the other; each having suffered in their pasts as well?

Stars Over the Southern Ocean is the best of Aussie author J.H. Fletcher’s that I have read in my opinion. From 1937 through to 1993, the story is filled with life, with hope, optimism and courage. It tells many stories which come together perfectly as one family. For a time, I was on the west coast of Tasmania, feeling the salt air blowing on my face. I was on the east coast, among the lush green of the trees. But I was also with Marina, a woman filled with determination, love and fervour as she kept her family together and close, caring quietly for them all. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.