Jenny Ashcroft’s Under the Golden Sun is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, a breathtaking historical novel filled with love, resilience, and the beauty of second chances. From the moment we meet Rose Hamilton, a young woman searching for purpose, we’re swept away on an unforgettable journey from war-torn England to the sun-drenched landscapes of Australia.

Tasked with escorting young orphan Walter to his family, Rose embarks on an adventure that reshapes her understanding of love and belonging. Walter, with his heartbreaking past, is more than just a child in her care—their bond is deeply moving. The novel beautifully captures their shared sorrows and joys, as well as the rich customs and stunning landscapes of Australia. Ashcroft’s prose is vivid, her historical research meticulous, and the romance—a real feel-good, clean love story—touching and genuine.

This was my first WWII historical novel set in Australia, offering a fresh perspective on the conflict. I also related to Rose’s seasickness—I can’t imagine being on a ship for over a month! My only critique? The use of parenthetical comments was distracting.

Under the Golden Sun is a beautifully written, uplifting read. I loved this book—five glowing stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

** Thank you NetGalley, Jenny Ashcroft, and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book. The opinions are my own.

Jenny Ashcroft’s "Under the Golden Sun" is set in 1941, the novel follows Rose Hamilton, a woman searching for purpose after being dismissed from the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. When she takes on the responsibility of escorting four-year-old Walter Lucknow to his family’s cattle station in Queensland, she embarks on a journey that will change both of their lives. The novel captures the peril of their wartime voyage, the struggles of adapting to a new land, and the deeply emotional connections Rose forms—not just with Walter, but also with his enigmatic uncle, Max, a wounded pilot with his own demons. The novel is a slow burn, both in its romance and in its broader themes of belonging and self-discovery, but the steady pacing allows readers to fully immerse themselves in Rose’s world. Walter’s story is particularly moving, and his bond with Rose is the heart of the novel.

Fans of historical fiction will appreciate Ashcroft’s attention to historical accuracy, from the dangers of wartime travel to the racial tensions present in Australia at the time. With its compelling characters, sweeping landscapes, and emotional depth, "Under the Golden Sun" is a must-read for those who love immersive historical fiction with heart. Perfect for fans of "The Nightingale" and "The Paris Library," this novel lingers long after the final page.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

The story-building that Jenny Ashcroft does is just so, so absolutely beautiful. She has a way of using words to help you visualize the places and people she rights about. It's some of the most wonderful historical fiction I've read, and I appreciate that she puts so many feels into the characters she writes. It is just masterful work, and rather than reading my words here, you should go read hers! Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this March 2022 release.

I ended up listening to this on audio (fantastic narrator!). I thought it was an intriguing story, but it did stretch on a bit too much to capture my attention. Gorgeous cover. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review it!

Under the Golden Sun was the first book that I have listened to by Jenny Ashcroft. I was impressed with her beautiful writing and meticulous research. Jenny Ashcroft was able to transport me in her detailed descriptions to both World War II London and to the cattle station in Queensland Australia. It was easy to picture the old houses and tea rooms of London and the kangaroos and koalas roaming freely in the fields of the northern Queensland. Her character development was outstanding and were both convincing and complex. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Under the Golden Sun that was narrated very well by Olivia Dowd. I was so invested in the plot and characters that I did not want it to end even though it was 14 hours and 59 minutes long.

Rose Hamilton found herself back in London after suffering a miscarriage and being dismissed from her duties in the war effort. She was on a train headed to meet her uncle, brother and possibly her fiancé for tea. It was Rose’s birthday and they were going to help her celebrate. Absentmindedly, Rose picked up a discarded newspaper on the train to pass the time. An advertisement caught her eye. The ad was seeking a companion for a five year old child to escort him to Australia. There was an address printed in the advertisement and for some reason Rose felt compelled to apply for the position. She abandoned her birthday plans against her uncle’s and brother’s dismay and set out for Belgravia to apply for the position. Rose was granted the impromptu interview where she met fragile, old and dying Vivien. The two women had an instant liking for one another. Vivien was young Walter’s great aunt. Walter, all of five years old, was an orphan. His mother had been struck by a bus and had died. He never knew his father. Rose knew that there were a million reasons why she should not accept this responsibility but young Walter found a way and crept into her heart. Rose agreed to move into Vivien’s home and take charge of Walter and get to know him before they would sail together to Australia. Vivien’s family, and therefore Walter’s, lived on a cattle station in Queensland. Little did Rose realize how her life was about to change.

The voyage to Australia was anything but smooth sailing. From the minute Rose boarded the ship, seasickness consumed her. It was a very long voyage. Thankfully Rose recovered from her bout with seasickness. She and Walter met Kate and her daughter Verity onboard the ship. Verity became Walter’s first real friend. Rose and Kate also developed a friendship and since Kate and her daughter lived in Brisbane they would remain friends and see each other while Rose was in Australia. When the boat finally docked, their arrival was not what Rose had expected. According to Vivien, they were to be met by family members and brought to the cattle station. Instead, Rose and Walter were greeted by a random driver. After Rose and Walter were left in front of the house on the cattle station Rose was greeted with another unexpected surprise. Although it was evident that there was someone in the house, Rose realized that the door was not going to open and welcome her and Walter. It had begun to pour so Rose and Walter were forced to spend their first night in Queensland in the barn. Could Vivien had been wrong? Were these people unhappy that Walter was here?

As time progressed, Rose came to love and adore Walter. She was prepared to stay with him until he felt comfortable and loved. Slowly, Rose came to know, admire and love the family that Walter was meant to live with. Her relationships with Esme and Max were complicated at first but soon blossomed. Even Lauren, Esme’s and Max’s mother came around. Max had been a fighter pilot in the war until he suffered severe burns on his face and body during the war. There was something special that both Max and Rose felt for each other but neither was able to admit to the other how they felt. While in Queensland, Rose received devastating news about her brother Joe. His plane was attacked by Germans and there was no evidence that anyone got out safely. Joe was presumed dead. This devastating news consumed Rose. She also worried about her parents in Shanghai. There was talk that the Japanese would invade shortly. Although, Rose grew to acknowledge that her relationship with her fiancé was over, she worried about his safety and how she would convince him that they were no longer the people they had been. Could her future be in Australia? Would she ever be able to leave Walter? Could she tell Max her feelings?

Under the Golden Sun by Jenny Ashcroft was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. All of my emotions were touched while listening to this book. It was a poignant love story but so much more. The historical facts were well researched and accurate. Australia’s part in World War II was portrayed as well as other pertinent aspects about the war. I loved the characters in Under the Golden Sun especially Rose, Max and Walter. I wanted their story to go on and on. I really enjoyed Under the Golden Sun by Jenny Ashcroft and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this advanced copy of Under the Golden Sun by Jenny Ashcroft through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Under the Golden Sun is expected to be published on March 15, 2022.

4 stars.

Lovely sweeping story set against the backdrop of WWII. Rosie is lonely and feeling stagnant in her life, reeling from a major loos months prior. She sees an advertisement in a paper looking for someone to accompany a 4yo boy to Australia and on a whim, inquired about the position. That one decision sets in motion a complete change of life, and location, for Rosie.

Filled with a slow burn between Rosie and Max, an intriguing backstory and the vivid details of the Australian landscape, this is a beautifully written story. It kept me turning pages and wanting to know how it ends.

What a lovely take on the WW2 story. I enjoyed the unique setting and circumstances of this novel. The characters were real and. believable, and the romance was sweet. At times it flows just a bit slowly, but overall it was engaging and well written. Beautifully done historical novel.

What a wonderful novel. I was excited to read a WWII novels set in Australia and wasn't disappointed. Rose Hamilton is a loving, sincere, lonely woman. Although she's engaged (to a cad) and has a family and a job in England, she needs a change, and serves as a companion to take a little boy, Walter to Australia on a potentially dangerous sea voyage. The writing is descriptive and evocative. In Australia, Rose makes new friends, becomes independent, experiences heartbreak and falls in love stay. Will she stay in Australia? Let's just say that the ending warmed my heart.

Love Australia setting, love historical fiction, love that this novel kept me engaged even though it was WWII and a time period that is heavily done already!

Ashcroft's writing is beautiful and her research is impeccable! Loved it!

This is the first wwii novel I’ve read that took place in Australia. I loved that it centered around a little boy that was orphaned and not by the war.

Max = I am in love
Xander = needs a swift kick
Lionel = best uncle ever
Esme = so sweet
Rose = very caring but doesn’t stand up for herself much. Takes way too much from Xander

Under the Golden Sun by Jenny Ashcroft was a wonderful tale of love and war, but also strengthened with undertones of a woman’s rights and being deserving of love and happiness. Rose is unexpectedly swept up caring for a young orphan Walter and escorting him to his family home in Australia. She encounters more than she had planned as she attempts to settle her young charge in this beautiful setting. I loved this book and highly recommend it. Ashcroft is adept at weaving complex storylines with beautiful imagery of the surroundings which brings the story to life. I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

Jenny Ashcroft weaves intriguing tales. This time taking us to Australia, where a little boy will steal Rose's heart and yours. Under the Golden Sun is a story of love, loss, and the strength to start anew.

Sweeping historical fiction with a grumpy-sunshine romance component. Beautifully written and set in WWII Australia, this novel just felt wildly epic. Something about the atmospheric writing gave it immense emotional impact and somewhat took my breath away. This was my first read from Jenny Ashcroft, but she can definitely pen a good read.

The plot was emotionally hard-hitting and swung the full pendulum from heart-warming to completely heartbreaking. I don't typically cry at my reads, but this one was very close on more than one occasion. The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning and intermittently through the plot. Slow burn is definitely the name of the game in this case.

The characters are well-written and mostly realistic and the capture of racial tensions in WWII Australia was balanced nicely with the rest of the plot. The result was an impactful undertone that didn't overwhelm the narrative, but sent a strong message. I was definitely invested in the characters and got hit hard in the gut on several occasions as a result. However, there were some moments where I did have to suspend belief, as the characters occasionally behaved incredibly stupidly or acted overly oblivious. The plot utilizes the miscommunication trope and sometimes it seemed like this was too heavy-handed and not necessarily believable.

A solid historical romance with an incredible emotional appeal. A semi-unique approach to a WWII era historical fiction, which I appreciated. The setting was well done and I enjoyed the overall arc of the plot. And dang it if I don't want to live on a ranch in the Australian outback now...

Book received for free through NetGalley

Read 29% of the way into this book but kept starting and stopping and ultimately forgot about it. Figured it was better to review as is. It was written well just not my cup of tea.

Oh what a beautiful, heartfelt book with the most lovely writing. This story of love and family completely won me over.

Under the Golden Sun takes place in a WWII timeline and was such a fresh perspective to the genre at that. I don’t mind heavy historical details in my reads, but this book offered a lighter option for those who aren’t quite so interested in those more rich details. It was the perfect balance of emotional love story mixed with that perfect historical flair. I don’t believe I’ve ever read a story taking place in Australia so the setting here really drew me in. The landscape of the Australian Outback was vividly painted and really added to the overall story.

This is a story that I would describe more as slow burn than fast-paced. Even with the characters, there was just a slower growth and development overall and I loved it. The pacing here was spot on and I enjoyed how it all wound and wove together, coming together beautifully at the end.

This was such a memorable read and has left me so eager to pick up more by this author! Highly recommend!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the gifted e-copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this wonderful historical fiction about a woman named Rose and a little boy she escorts on a train across to Australia. I was so invested in the "love story" between Rose and the child and their journey to Australia. I loved all of the characters and I didn't mind the details that at times were perhaps more than some would prefer. There was, of course, another love story of the romantic type but it didn't overtake the relationship between Rose and Walter, the orphaned four year old boy. There were beautiful descriptions of the landscape of Australia that I loved reading. It is not what I'd call a fast-paced, page-turner, but more of a slow-building of the relationships which I thought was appropriate since her relationship with Walter had to take time.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

What a beautiful unforgettable story about family and love. I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but I find when I do, I really love them. This story was emotional and heartwarming at the same time. If you love reading about books set during WW II era, you. should definitely pick this one up.

Rose has just been kicked out of the RAF. She sees an advertisement for escorting a child to Australia and applies. Surprisingly she gets the job. Little does Rose know what is in store for her when she gets to Australia!
I really enjoyed this book. It had great characters and a wonderful love story. I loved the imagery created by the writing. I was able to picture the landscape in my mind. It was a slow read with lots of characters which was hard to keep up with at times, but has a happy ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: 3/15/22 (out now)
Genre: historical fiction/romance
In one sentence: In 1941 England, Rose answers a newspaper ad to chaperone a young orphaned boy to Australia - changing his life and hers forever.

I love when WWII books tell a different story than the typical plotline. I enjoyed the Australia setting here - it was an excellent armchair vacation! Rose and Walter bond quite strongly over the course of the novel, and I loved seeing her support him during their journey. Walter has Aboriginal heritage, and Ashcroft shows how these people were discriminated against in Australia (this discrimination continues today.)

Although I liked parts of the book, it ultimately felt a little too long. I also didn't connect as well to the romance subplot as I did to Rose and Walter's relationship.

Homefront fiction is a popular genre for light romance as it typically depicts women and children to whom the target reader can relate. A measure of historical depth is required to set the scene. Author Jenny Ashcroft provides it with her extensive research into the historical timeline and lush descriptions of Australia. Adding to the family drama, Ashcroft's characters reflect societal restrictions on women's independence and the racial inequality of a large cattle station.