Book Blurb…
A passionate tale of three sisters as they strive for freedom and independence and follow their hearts to unexpected places, from a master storyteller. For readers of Fiona McIntosh, Nicole Alexander and Natasha Lester.

Sydney, Christmas, 1901. Federation has been achieved but Australian women are yet to gain the right to vote in their new nation's elections and have a say in the laws that govern them.

Bolshy, boisterous Frankie Merriweather is a fervent advocate for women's rights, determined to dedicate herself to the cause, never marrying or becoming a mother. She can't understand her artistic sister Ivy, who wants a life of ease and beauty with her soon-to-be fiance, law student Patrick Earle.

Meanwhile, their married sister Aggie volunteers in an orphanage, decrying the inequality of Australia's social classes ... and longing to hold a baby in her arms.

When an accident takes Ivy, wounded and ill, into the violent and lawless zone of the Hawkesbury River, a year of change begins. Ivy's burgeoning friendship with her saviour Riley Logan, a smuggler, and his sister, the poverty-stricken but valiant Fiona, will alter the lives of all three women forever.

My Thoughts…
An easy-to-read story and one of great interest, as I love reading about the early days of our country’s Federation.

Both the characters and landscape were well described and took me on an enjoyable journey.

Readers love admirable characters, and the author gives us the dishy saviour/hero, Riley Logan. He is the type of character everyone falls in love with just a little.

Then there’s Ivy (great name) whose journey in today’s world would be very different. In saying this, however, she makes the right decision in the end.

A passionate tale of three sisters as they strive for freedom and independence and follow their hearts to unexpected places.
Sydney, Christmas, 1901. Federation has been achieved but Australian women are yet to gain the right to vote in their new nation's elections and have a say in the laws that govern them.
Bolshie,boisterous Frankie Merriweather is a fervent advocate for women's rights, determined to dedicate herself to the cause, never marrying or becoming a mother. She can't understand her artistic sister Ivy, who wants a life of ease and beauty with her soon-to-be fiance, law student Patrick Earle.Meanwhile, their married sister Aggie volunteers in an orphanage, decrying the inequality of Australia's social classes-and longing to hold a baby in her arms.When an accident takes Ivy, wounded and ill, into the violent and lawless zone of the Hawkesbury River, a year of change begins. Ivy's burgeoning friendship with her saviour Riley Logan, a smuggler, and his sister, the poverty-stricken but valiant Fiona, will alter the lives of all three women forever.Women's suffrage in Australia was one of the earliest objectives of the movement for gender equality. It began to be socially and politically accepted and legislated during the late 19th century, beginning with SA in 1894 and WA in 1899. In 1902, the newly established Australian Parliament passed the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902, which set a uniform law enabling women (except "aboriginal natives") to vote at federal elections and to stand for the federal parliament.By 1908, the remaining Australian states had legislated for women's suffrage.It took longer before women could stand for parliament throughout Australia and even longer before they were actually elected.There was a strong desire for representative and responsible government in the colonies of Australia, fed by the democratic spirit of the goldfields evident at the Eureka Stockade and the ideas of the great reform movements sweeping the US and the British Empire.The Hawkesbury frontier was utterly lawless,but the river was one of the major transportation routes for sending needed supplies from the surrounding area to Sydney.

Read on June 11, 2021

Australia’s queen of historical romance Mary-Anne O’Connor has done it again.

Sisters of Freedom takes place in amongst the rampant social, economic and legal disparity that was Australia in 1901. But while it was all those things, it was also a time of great anticipation. Despite the extremely negative aspects of Australian society at this time, especially for Indigenous Australians and women, Federation Australia was a time of change and hope for what the new century could bring.

Sisters of Freedom is firmly situated in this zeitgeist, and O’Connor uses it to paint a rich tapestry of life, exploring what it was like not just for those fortunate enough to come from wealthy backgrounds, but for those less fortunate, and especially those who suffered extreme violence, and racial and/or sex-based discrimination.

O’Connor does not shy away from making the shocking levels of wealth inequality in Australia at the turn of the last century, as well as the inequality before the law suffered women and Indigenous Australians an essential part of the drama in this novel. While the protagonists, sisters Ivy, Aggie and the admirable bluestocking Frankie, come from a privileged family, they also come from a household that is relatively radical in its own way, which fosters their consciousness and desire for change. The reader is given the immense satisfaction of watching them encounter, be shaken and become transformed by shocking disparities that even they had no real grasp on, when they are immersed in the immense poverty, male pattern violence and lawlessness of the Hawkesbury River at the turn of the last century.

The way that these observations affect the sisters, and the way that the resolve to use their positions of privilege to effect change, is perfectly situated in Australia’s current political climate, as we continue to call out for lasting change and justice for the systematically harmed and dispossessed members of our community.

But it wasn’t just the political content that had me inhaling this story. Mary-Anne O’Connor has an unparalleled ability to capture the spirit of the Australian landscape with words. The way that she paints the look and feeling of the Hawkesbury River is absolutely superb, and made my heart sing. Reading it made me feel like I was travelling up that river myself, not knowing what was around the corner.

Mary-Anne O’Connor uses her skills and experience to weave all of this meaty background in with a story that is so full twists, turns, and human drama, that it comes together as a fantastic page turner.

This is one of those books that is an instant classic of Australian literature. I absolutely devoured it. It is a book about all of us – the country that surrounds us, the volatile periods that it has gone through in recent history, and where we are still going, together, as we strive towards a fairer society.

I heartily recommend Sisters of Freedom to readers of all ages and stages. You’re going to love it.

The story of three sisters in 1901 who are fighting for change against archaic rules that do not reflect any rights for women. Frankie, Aggie and Ivy are tested when Ivy has an accident and starts a friendship with Riley and Fiona that will change the course of all their lives.

Sisters of Freedom by Mary-Anne O'Connor is a wonderfully told story of three wealthy sisters and their family at a time in Australia where there were women who strived for independence, equality and ‘the vote’.

Set in Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia in the year 1901

The Merriweather sisters were much the same but so unalike that nobody assumed they were related.

Brown-haired Agatha (Aggie) was the eldest dressed in her usual practical grey. Aggie is married and volunteers at the local orphanage, she longs to be able to have a child. At twenty-one years old she’s an advocate for women’s rights, is reliable and had been married for four years.

Middle-sister Frances (Frankie), is tall and robust with long blonde hair, she’s passionate about cricket, politics and injustice to women and she has no intention to marry or thoughts of motherhood. She fights for women right’s, to help those less fortunate and she loves to pen pieces for popular feminist bulletins.

Ivy the younger sister is a redhead like her mother, Harriet. She’s also dreamy, artistic and enjoys dressing flamboyantly.

Ivy has a tragic accident at her eighteenth birthday celebrations disappearing and leaving behind a pool of blood. She finds herself unconscious in the poor and violent zone of the Hawkesbury River area where it’s dangerous to be a woman. Here she forms a friendship with Riley Logan a smuggler and his sister Fiona that will change her family’s life forever!

Themes of domestic violence, politics, women’s rights, romance and poverty.

A truly memorable story, well researched, thought provoking and a highly recommended read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for an ARC to read and review.

Sisters of freedom is set in Australia 1901 just before women get the right to vote.It follows three sisters who all are very different but want similar things from life.This book beautifully describes natural Australia and highlights how little rights women had in that time and how far they still have to come.I enjoyed reading it but found the plot predictable and towards the end it felt rushed.

Thanks NetGalley for the free arc in return for a honest review

Sisters of Freedom is a highly engaging story of three very different sisters, yet all fighting for the same cause - equality for women and the right to vote at the turn of last century. Mary-Anne has once more created a memorable tale of early Australia to lose yourself in - filled with courage and strength, these sisters each have a story to tell.

‘... sisterly love was a powerful thing and it was holding them all in its grip now as sibling loyalty made prisoners of them all...’

With an overall focus on women's suffrage and independence, there are also subplots involving domestic violence, childless marriage and the willingness to marry for love. All of this Mary-Anne deftly interweaves through each of the sisters' tales. Quiet Aggie and her longing for a child of her own, outspoken and determined Frankie fighting for a cause and Ivy with her life changing experience. My heart went out to Aggie and her quiet fortitude, Ivy’s heartfelt and sincere qualities shone through but it was the forthright Frankie that brought a smile to my face.

‘I’m telling you, Albert, they need to hurry up and give us women the vote so we can make laws to protect each other. It’s about time.’

When the story moved to the small communities living along the Hawkesbury River, I was entranced - as were the sisters - to this impoverished and harsh way of life. The time spent in both the physical environment and Fiona’s world was enlightening. The contrast between this life and that of the Merriweather sisters could not be more stark yet finding themselves imbued with the experience was authentic.

‘It held secrets, this river, and so did the people who lived along it.’

This is a well told story with engaging characters regaled at a critical stage of this country’s development. Yes, there is the requisite romance (with a twist) but Mary-Anne makes it work within the context of the theme. Read the story of the Merriweather sisters, their strength and determination with their ability to rise to challenges will be time well spent.

‘We can and we will,’ Harriet predicted. ‘We can achieve anything our hearts desire if we have enough passion and determination, and you all have that in droves,’ she said, nodding at them with pride. ‘What a wonderful day to be a woman, girls. A wonderful day indeed.’




This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

This was an easy to read historical fiction about a family, about freedom for women and about life and love. It really did have it all and was written in a way that was easy to read and follow and made a point without it being too in your face.

I loved the three sisters, they so loved each other but also held secrets and even heartache to themselves at times. But once shared they seemed to overcome any problem as a family which I loved.

The one thing holding this book back from getting 5 stars from me was the fact that it was too predicable and too happy ever after. I had an idea it was going to end as it did when I was only half way through the book but kept reading just in case there was a twist..

This is a highly enjoyable historical novel set in Sydney in the first years of Federation while the campaign for women’s suffrage continues. The main characters are the Merriweather sisters, Aggie , Frankie and Ivy. Frankie is the most passionate activist for women’s rights but all three are strong young women. The story became really interesting for me when it moves to the small communities on the Hawkesbury, and the tough lives particularly for poor women and children. There’s a strong contrast between the lives of the wealthy and the impoverished.
I thought the romantic plot lines were predictable but it is so fitting that it’s hard not to like it!
A definite pleasure to read.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

I haven't read any books by this author before though I have a couple sitting in my ever expanding to be read pile. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the delightful Merriweather sisters and their 1902 exploits. There were tears and laughter during the reading of this story.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book. I now must find time to read Mary-Anne O'Connor's others!

This story has so much going for it, it shows the strength and courage of women in an Australia that has just been declared a federation, it sees the Merriweather sisters Aggie, Frankie and Ivy stand up for what they want and it shows the men who support them along the way, the emotions flow through this one, I loved this story from page one, I made friends with these woman and I hope that you will pick this one up and enjoy it as much as I did.

It is Christmas 1901 and although Australia is now a federation woman still don’t have the vote and Frankie is a staunch supporter for this to happen, marriage is not for her she wants more even though her eldest sister Aggie has been happily married to Robert for three years now and helps out at the local orphanage her younger sister Ivy is a budding artist who helps her father and is looking forward to marriage and a life as a wife and mother in the future, these three sisters are very close and they know how to voice their opinions and stay the best of friends, all of them wanting the vote for woman.

New Year’s Day 1902 and it is Ivy’s birthday and a picnic has been organised and Ivy is hoping to get closer to law student Patrick Earle hoping that one day they will marry when an accident separates Ivy from her family and friends and she is rescued and ends up in the rough Hawkesbury River area, this area is lawless and Ivy is very ill, it is Riley Logan who rescues her and takes her to his sister Fiona to care for her, this accident will change the lives of Aggie, Frankie and Ivy in so many ways.

Marry-Anne O’Connor has penned a story rich in Australian history a time of change in our country, it is a captivating read as it shows the passion and strength that the women of the day had, to make changes for woman, she has bought the Merriweather family to life on the pages as well as the people from the river, it shows the good and the bad in society and for me there were tears of sadness and joy, I was cheering these woman on and yes there are some fabulous men as well. I do highly recommend this one, it is such a great story, one I didn’t want to put down and it makes me proud of the woman of our past.

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

Ivy Merriweather’s eighteenth birthday started on a happy note, with a picnic followed by a walk, a sweet kiss in the bushes – but what occurred later was traumatic and the start of change for all concerned. Ivy’s sisters, Frankie – an advocate for the rights of women – and Aggie – married to Robert but unable to fulfil her dearest wish of motherhood – were close to Ivy. The two unmarried girls lived with their parents, while Aggie and Robert were nearby, and each had a happy, contented life. When Ivy went missing by the river, with some of her clothing found abandoned and blood pooled nearby, everyone thought the worst and Patrick, Ivy’s beau was blamed…

Riley Logan loved his life on the Hawkesbury River as he delivered medicines and food, among other things, to the settlements along the river’s edge. When Riley spotted the semi naked, unconscious young woman he took her on board his boat, heading for his sister Fiona to care for her. Fiona’s life in poverty with her twins, four-year-olds Tricia and Annie, couldn’t dampen her good nature. She relied on Riley and he was devoted to her. But when he brought the young woman to her dwelling, events were set in place that couldn’t be avoided.

What would be the outcome of that time in Sydney, Australia in 1901 and 1902? When Federation and women’s rights were on the forefront of people’s lips? When most men and politicians decried change, declaring women were second-class citizens? When Ivy, Frankie and Aggie were on the cusp of change?

Sisters of Freedom by Aussie author Mary-Anne O’Connor is a captivating story of three sisters; of striving for independence; of no longer being a chattel to their husbands should they marry. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, fascinated by the history, the Hawkesbury, Wiseman’s Ferry back in the early 1900s. And how the impoverished people coped as apposed to the wealthy. Ms O’Connor’s stories have always kept me enthralled, and Sisters of Freedom was no different. Highly recommended.

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

‘Daughters of freedom, the truth marches on, Yield not the battle till ye have won!’

Sydney, December 1901. The states have federated, the Commonwealth of Australia has been formed. But
Australian women have not yet been enfranchised, and many would like to see this changed.

The Merriweather family gathers to celebrate Christmas: Albert, Harriet, and their daughters Agatha (Aggie), Frances (Frankie) and Ivy. Aggie has been married to Robert Stapleton for three years. She volunteers in an orphanage and is longing to have her own children. Frankie is a dedicated advocate for women’s rights, and is determined never to marry while Ivy, who loves art and colourful clothing, hopes to marry Patrick Earle, a law student, and have a family. Three different sisters, each with her own dreams for the future.

Ivy has an accident which changes each of their lives. Patrick has left her briefly on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, and when he returns, she is gone. Riley Logan, travelling up the river by boat, comes across Ivy and takes her to his sister Fiona further upriver. Riley does not have the time to take Ivy downriver and he knows that there are some unsavoury characters lurking nearby. Fiona, her husband George, and their twin daughters live in a small shack by the river. Fiona helps Ivy and the two of them become close. Ivy does not forget them when she returns home, and the Merriweather family is grateful to Riley and Fiona for their help, and Ivy wants to establish a school along the river. She and Riley intend to work together to achieve this, but once Ivy becomes engaged to Patrick her plans are halted.

Ms O’Connor’s story takes us though several issues affecting Australian women including poverty, domestic violence, and the fight to enfranchise women. While two aspects of the storyline were resolved just a little too neatly for me, I was more than happy with the ending. Suffice to say that the path of true love does not always run smoothly.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Another wonderfully entertaining read by Mary-Anne O’Connor. Love a good Australian historical fiction and I have read all Mary-Anne O’Connor books as she certainly does her research and weaves history into a great fictional tale. The characters and events in this book are fictional however it is based on real events in history.
The story set in the early 1900s revolves around the Merriweather family Albert, Harriet and their three daughters Aggie, Frankie and Ivy who live in Kuranda (a real home in Hornsby, NSW). The girls are as different in looks as they are in temperament. The family are advocates for the rights of women, particularly the right to vote.
I enjoy a family saga and the Merriweather girls certainly provide plenty of drama. There is the hardship of life in the outback, romance, violence, death, inability to have children but above all there is love.
I found the history around the suffragette movement in Australia in 1901 really interesting particularly in the current climate of the #metoo movement and women’s rights. Please make sure you read the Authors Notes at the end of the book.
With thanks to Harlequin Australia for the ARC.

An enjoyable read, with a lovely setting, which is familiar, and yet removed in time, and societal culture. Thank goodness for the determination of the women who came before us, that we now have the right to vote, the right to an education, and career, irrespective of marriage.
The stories of the central characters is somewhat predictable, but that is not such a bad thing. There are moments of drama, and a glimpse at a way of life that is on the brink of change.
I would like a see a continuation of the story. I feel that the Merriweather Girls have more to tell.

Sydney, 1901. The six colonies of Australia have united to form the Commonwealth of Australia, a process known as Federation and the whole nation celebrates. While Australian women are happy about Federation, they’re still unable to vote, they have no say in how the country is governed and they want this to change.

The Merriweather family are about to celebrate Christmas, it’s been an exciting year and their youngest daughter Ivy is about to turn eighteen. The sisters are very close and each has a very different temperament and hair colour. Agatha or Aggie's married to Robert Stepleton, she volunteers at the local catholic orphanage, and she cares for the babies and longs for children of her own. Aggie notices underprivileged teenage girls are badly treated, the orphanage isn’t willing to help them and this makes her mad. Ivy loves art, drawing and wears very colourful outfits. She longs to get married, have children and she’s infatuated with law student Patrick Earle. Frances or Frankie is rather exuberant, high spirited and a great bowler. She’s dedicated to the suffrage movement, she’s not interested in getting married and having babies.

On Ivy’s birthday tragedy strikes, she’s injured and lying on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. It’s an extremely dangerous place for a woman alone to be, smuggler Riley Logan comes across Ivy and he knows local thug Donovan and his unscrupulous friends are lurking nearby. He needs to act quickly, his sister Fiona will help and she lives with her husband George in a modest shack on the banks of the river. Fiona might be poor, but she’s extremely kind and a loving mother to her twin daughters Tricia and Annie. She and Ivy become close and the entire Merriweather family are very grateful for Riley's and Fiona's help.

When the unthinkable happens the three Merriweather sisters are determined to help the plight of Australian women, to end the cycle of poverty, stop domestic violence, for men to be legally accountable for their actions and for women to be able to vote. Sisters of Freedom is a story about Australian woman in the early 1900’s and their resolution to make changes, they marched, chanted, sung, the battle was won and were granted the right to vote. A truly remarkable book, I highly recommend reading it and five big stars from me.