Milking Time is one of those books that has you sitting up and really thinking about the world we live in. Heroine Connie Mulligan has returned to her family dairy farm in Tasmania, where she seems to be at odds with everything. Her father is busily putting every chemical known to man into the soil, purportedly to improve the health of his cows and increase milk yields. Connie disagrees with him about everything he’s doing but her concerns fall on deaf ears. I loved watching her progress from feeling like a complete failure to succeeding and changing things on her own terms. It’s clear that author Rachael Treasure knows about environmentally friendly and healthy dairy practices and by the time I’d finished reading this book I felt as though I also knew a fair bit. I loved the supporting characters that Connie got to know along the way though I think my favourite would have to be Mrs McBee, who Connie friends during a trip to Ireland. This book has been both fun and informative to read.

I found Milking Time by Rachael Treasure to be strangely disturbing. The main character, Connie, is totally downtrodden and the story is very slow moving and very depressing. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep reading but I persevered and I’m glad I did because it definitely improved.

Set in a small coastal Tasmanian town in a dairy farm district, the small town and country attitudes prevailed. Things changed when Connie goes to visit Ireland where she has a epiphany that chanced her attitude an approach to her life but also that of Mother Earth. Back to basics farming and environmentally friendly approach to the production of food and the milking of cows. It was a bit like Silent Spring set in a farm environment with major concerns about chemical poisoning of the soil and water ways.

The story moved from being depressing to top of the world happy and positive.

Unfortunately due to eye surgery I wasn’t able to complete reading before publication date but I got back to it eventually. I’ve always enjoyed Rachael Treasure’s novels and even though this one was a bit quirky I did enjoy it.


This review is based on a complimentary copy from HarperCollins Australia via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#MilkingTime #NetGalley

I must say I started reading this book and thought I would like it but it took me so long to get into it that I ended up being quite bored and disappointed with it.

I found the story dragged on, I didn't like the characters and I felt it never really went anywhere. I got half way through it (yes I kept trying to give it a go) before I put it down and gave up reading. I couldn't finish it I'm afraid.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this one. It’s a pity because it has such good reviews from other NetGalley readers. Maybe it is just too ‘earthy’ for me!

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.


Available Editions
EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781460757598
PRICE A$31.81 (AUD)
PAGES 416

Rachael Treasure is such a unique storyteller!

Milking Time, told from Connie Mulligan’s point of view, is about finding who you are at your core and staying true to yourself no matter how much external forces try dominate you and tell you who you should be. Connie uses all of her wit, willpower and a community of strong women (with a sprinkling of men too) to seize the day, save her family farm and transform herself, her life and her small Tasmanian town.

It has you considering the importance of who you surround yourself with, your people, your tribe if you will, and whose values align with your own. It questions and tackles the idea of doing things differently to better listen to and preserve Mother Nature. It reminds you to connect back to the land.

There are three different narratives happening in the start of this book which made to storyline a little choppy but it evens out and becomes an enjoyable rural read once you get past that.

I found Milking Time slow to get into and considered giving up, but I'm glad I persisted as I found the second half much more interesting - starting from around when Connie went to Ireland. The story makes you think about the food we eat, chemicals and consequences and safe and ethical farming methods. I enjoyed the focus on the earth and animals.
There was a lot going on with Connie with her family and Uncle Larry. I loved Uncle Larry and the friends Connie made, both in Tasmania and Ireland. They really formed a community and proved you could farm in ethical ways. They had each other's backs which really made the story.

Oh my goodness. What an absolutely amazing, roller coaster ride that was!
I loved this from start to finish.

Rachael has created a wonderfully strong, empowering character in Connie.
I love how we see Connie evolve from being a misfit within her family, like she is out of step and time, to blossom into a strong, independent woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it.

It's truly awesome what can be achieved when a community bands together.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Connie has always been told she is useless and a problem to everyone. Connie feels maybe they are right.

But what if what Connie believes about herself is wrong and she needs to change it all to find herself.

Connie travels to Ireland as part of a work representation, but something happens and she finally feels like she can be herself.

Upon returning her family still call her useless, but Connie has a plan.

This is an amazing story of how finding yourself and moving forward in the way you need to that makes you happy and content.

In my early 2os, I couldn't get enough of Rachael Treasures books. I have a shelf with them all sitting pretty. So naturally I was so excited to read her newest release!

Milking Time, throws the reader into Treasures' writing style that is like no one else in the publishing game. It is authentic and showcases farm life in ways that other authors gloss over. Which is so refreshing.

Easy to read, deeply complex female protagonist who's ideals and science based fact make you contemplate your view on chemicals.
A great read, being published at the perfect time.