I love novels set in Australia. This one gives a tantalizing glimpse into the history of the country and our queer-history. I loved the description of the near desert lands around Willowra, the life of a vagrant worker, the people inhabiting it and all the secrets such a remote place has to offer.
It is sobering to know that only 2 or three generations past - the generation of our grandparents or great-grandparents you would be lynched or worse for found out kissing a girl as a girl. Puts modern grievances very much in perspective. And it shows as well that we made great strides in the liberation of women despite everything that remains: no rights for women and being beaten and raped in marriage used to be normal.
The book spans three generations and adds more perspectives with the unfolding of the story. I would have liked to see a more encompassing wrap-up esp. of the „modern“ generation and e.g. the story of Gabrielle and Tess. Simone‘s bitterness is highlighted several times throughout but not really resolved or properly explained.
The writing (and translation from French) is overall well-done with quite a few historical or local references. The start was a bit bumpy but stay tuned for the real story: once the history starts, it is wonderful

This is the kind of book you will think about long after you’ve finished reading it. The Secrets Of Willowra will most likely be my favourite read of 2021.

A story with incredibly rich family history covers topics of love, loss, sacrifice and acceptance. I have not read a book quote as unique as this. I went into this not knowing what it was about, and I think that’s why I was able to love this book so much.

The Secrets of Willowra starts out with Gabrielle and Tess. Gabrielle left Willowra many years ago due to perceived homophobia from her family. Gabrielle went to Sydney and remained there until her cherished grandmother, Victoria, was on her death bed. Gabrielle immediately flew to Willowra with her wife Tess. During their stay, Victoria shares her story (and family secrets) as well as her father's. Jason, Victoria's father, arrives in Australia to seek his fortune in the gold rush. Due to many decisions, Jason decides to travel across Australia. You learn about Jason and how Victoria came into his life. Victoria then recounts her tale about how she left and came back to Willowra in her adult life.

I absolutely enjoyed this book! I loved Jason, Victoria, and Maggie as characters. I understand why the author started the story out with Gabrielle, but she wasn't mentioned a lot in the rest of the book. The main focus seemed to be on Jason and Victoria. I loved the historical information that was tied in. I live in the U.S. and never knew about certain aspects of Australia during that time. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I loved that a majority of the main characters were also a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

I highly recommend this novel! You're captivated by Jason's story and then Victoria shows up. You're then thrown into her story, that's just as riveting as Jason's. There are so many similarities between their stories and both characters feel so alone during it. You feel like you're right there with them, experiencing everything. If you haven't yet, read this story! It's written so well.

ARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

Wow!! What a beautiful story. It had me from the first few pages and I could not put it down. The characters were great. I really enjoyed this one.

Thank You NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

WOW! Wow Wow! This book pulled me in and held on tight! Heartwarming, stunning, beautiful story! It's been a while since I read a book that captured me like this story!

I don't want to write a massive review about this story, I believe I might drop a spoiler or two if I did. I think this is Kadyan's first book, and I really am looking forward to any future releases.

This book starts out with Gabrielle having worries about becoming a parent and thinking about her own parents. Her relationship with them having deteriorated after an overheard conversation and years of missed opportunities and misunderstanding. Gabrielle and Tess are soon called to her home where her grandmother reveals some family secrets that show how much they all have in common. I loved this story, it was a true family saga spanning generations and continents. The characters were all easy to fall in love with, especially Victoria and Jason. Descriptions of the Outback felt authentic and I could see their home out in the red dirt of Australia. I already want to read this again and am hoping that I see more from this author translated to English. This book definitely captured my attention and I was up half the night reading only to get to the end and be disappointed it was over.

The beginning of this book, the part about Gabriella really didn't work for me. I noticed this book was first published in French a couple of years ago and I feel like the translation shows just that in this first part.
It's not until we get to Willowra that I find a character I like, Gab’s nan Victoria. Victoria lured everyone back to their birth ground to reveal some family secrets when she starts telling the tale of her family we meet wonderful strong characters with a good story. I'm not one for historical fiction, you could argue this is historical fiction and I would agree with you. I think I would have much preferred to have this story be solely about Vic’s parents and/or Vic. Those stories are marvelous, I was hooked on both of them.
Vic’s story is cool and she's a fierce woman, a force to be reckoned with for sure, but her parents Jason and Maggie, their story is just sweet. In a time that must have been extremely challenging their love really did conquer all.

Question, would you be smiling if you heard your parents have sex, or your children? Couple of references to that are made and just no...
Overall I liked the book, it was hard getting into because of the awkward translation (at least that’s how it reads for me) and I just don't care for Gab and Tess. In the end, it's a couple of fascinating fictional tales combined, some of which are harder to believe than others, but I enjoyed most of them. It's just the at times awkward turns of phrases and writing that pulled me out of the story and made me enjoying a bit less, 3.25 stars.

Finding a book which holds you deep in its story telling thrall is what every reader searches for and I am elated to have found it in The Secrets of Willowra. Victoria, the feisty grandmother of the McKellig family recounts the family history and reveals the secrets that have long been hidden.
Kadyan brings you to Australia at the beginning of the 1900’s. Jason McKellig arrives from London to seek their fortune in the gold rush. Personal choices waylay their plans and they begin their walking journey across Australia.
There is a wonderful lethargy to the novel that matches the unhurried essence of Jason. They are a contemplative person whose actions speak rather than words. The richness of the novel comes from the juxtaposition of the characters against the backdrop of the heat, dust and barren landscape and the harshness of life. The writing is exceptionally beautiful and will capture your heart and imagination.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.

This book kept me interested although I did feel as if the middle was dragging and then the ending rushed. I enjoyed and grew attached to all the characters but I did have to write them down in order to keep track of who was who. Overall, I liked the storyline and it was a nice, thought provoking read.

Gabrielle left Willowra to live her life because she thinks her family won’t accept that she a lesbian. She and her partner Tess been together for eight years and expecting a baby Gab fears she won’t be a great parent or partner.

Gab grandmother Victoria tricks her into coming home when she get there she surprises to learn her family accept her and love for who she is she realizes she misjudged them and never gave them a chance. Gab grandmother Victoria wanted everyone there so she can tell the story of their family before the day when she can’t.

I love this read I didn’t want this book to end the only character I didn’t like was Simone after everything she learns about her family especially her father she still acted like a brat.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.