Another Time

by Vicki Ostenfeld

As the tumultuous tide of the Second World War ebbs, Frank and Amy stand on the precipice of change, their futures hanging in the balance. In the waning days of conflict, this sergeant of the Australian Army and his counterpart, an intrepid Army nurse, are compelled to confront the daunting choices that await them as peace promises to restore normalcy. With the cessation of war comes the inevitability of their separation: Amy yearns to embrace a new beginning in Sydney, with dreams of donning the physician’s coat, while Frank envisions a pastoral life in Tasmania, cultivating world-class Merino wool on his family’s farm. The question that looms over them is one of compromise: can their individual aspirations weave together to form a shared tapestry of life? Their quest for answers is fraught with dilemmas, knowing that each step taken will etch permanent marks on their lives and those of future generations. Spanning half a century, Another Time is a rich tapestry of familial ties, an emotional odyssey through love and loss, fidelity, and betrayal, set against the rapidly shifting moral landscape of the 20th Century, forever altered in the aftermath of conflict.

270 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2024

Reviews

[Book Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Time explores love, sacrifice, and the tangled web of family secrets. The novel follows Frank, a man whose life is shaped by wartime choices, shifting relationships, and the unspoken truths that bind people together. We meet Amy, Jeanie, and Imogen, women who each, in different ways, leave their mark on Frank’s life. As the years unfold, so do the hidden ties between characters, and the consequences of past actions emerge with gripping intensity. Set against the backdrop of Australia’s changing landscape from the 1940s onward, this historical fiction novel is a story of love that endures, truths that come too late, and relationships that are as complicated as they are real.

One thing that really struck me about this book was how natural the dialogue felt. Ostenfeld’s writing mirrors how people actually talk, which made me feel like I was sitting at the kitchen table listening to family stories. Take the scene where Bonnie bursts into the room, rattling off about sheep blocking the road, swearing as her mother scolds her​. It’s chaotic, funny, and so authentic. It’s exactly how a lively, unfiltered family member would talk. The dialogue drives the story forward and keeps the pace moving without feeling forced. I enjoy a slow-burn novel, and I appreciate the depth Ostenfeld brings to her characters, but there were moments, especially in the middle, where I felt conversations or descriptions stretched on longer than they needed to.

Another aspect that I liked was how deeply the book dives into family dynamics, especially the weight of secrets. One particularly emotional moment is when Frank and Fred discuss the lie they’ve been telling Bonnie and Verna about their real relationship​. There’s a sadness in Frank’s acceptance that "life isn’t fair to very many people," a quiet acknowledgment of the burdens people carry to protect others. The way the novel explores the lengths people go to in order to keep things from falling apart, whether it’s out of love, shame, or duty, made me think about how many real families function in the same way.

The love stories in Another Time are anything but straightforward. There’s young, passionate love between Frank and Amy, and then there’s the quieter, more complex love that comes later. But the most surprising (and, honestly, slightly shocking) relationship is between Frank Jr. and Bonnie. Technically, they’re not related, but their connection is tangled in such a way that even they aren’t sure how to feel about it​. The way the book handles this emotional mess is thought-provoking. Ostenfeld doesn’t give us easy answers, just like life doesn’t. It left me sitting there, thinking.

If you love family sagas that unfold over decades, where characters are flawed but deeply human, Another Time is for you. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy a mix of historical fiction and emotional drama, with a side of scandal thrown in for good measure.

[Abhay Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚫️Vicki Ostendeld’s Another Time is a beautifully crafted historical novel that resonates deeply, leaving a lasting impression long after you’ve turned the final page. Set against the backdrop of the aftermath of World War II, the story follows Frank and Amy two individuals bound by love yet torn apart by their circumstances as they navigate a world striving to heal from the chaos. Ostendeld captures not just the visible scars of war, but also the subtle, internal battles with identity, purpose, and the quest for belonging.

⚫️The narrative flows with a poetic grace, painting vivid pictures of post-war Australia from the rugged charm of Tasmanian landscapes to the vibrant allure of Sydney. Frank's dream of returning to his family farm and Amy's ambition to become a doctor represent more than personal aspirations; they embody the broader struggle between tradition and modernity, love and independence, duty and desire.

⚫️What truly sets Another Time apart is its emotional richness and honesty. The author holds nothing back in her exploration of the painful truths of compromise and the haunting dilemmas of what one must sacrifice for love. Spanning decades of shifting social norms and generational changes, Ostendeld weaves a tapestry of resilience, heartache, and redemption that resonates across multiple generations.

⚫️The prose is both beautiful and accessible, with a rhythm that mirrors the ebb and flow of life slow, reflective, and deeply human. Readers who appreciate epic historical romances, intricate character development, and thought-provoking themes will find Another Time to be a rewarding experience.

⚫️At its core, Another Time transcends the boundaries of a simple love story; it serves as a reflection on how time, choices, and circumstances shape our identities. This moving and exquisitely written novel stands as a tribute to the unyielding spirit of those who reclaim their lives and hearts from the ruins of war.

Happy reading ❤️✨

[Uru]

Another Time is a thoughtful and atmospheric read that blends emotion, memory, and history in a way that slowly draws you in. The author does a good job of building a sense of place and time, with vivid descriptions that make the setting feel real and immersive.

The characters are layered and relatable, each carrying their own struggles and motivations, which adds depth to the story.

While the pacing is calm rather than fast-moving, it suits the reflective tone of the book and allows the themes of loss, resilience, and human connection to shine through.

Vocabulary of the book is very good and the language of the book is also very easy so even if you're a beginner reader you can read it easily.

Also it's a short read of about 272 pages and you can easily finished it in one or two sittings as you just got sucked into it.

The writing style of the author is very good and error free and also written in very simple way which makes it easy to read.

The cover of the book is also very good and i really loved it. It really grab your attention on first look.

Overall, it’s an engaging novel for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a strong emotional undercurrent and a lingering impact after the final page.

[Tammy Lain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started the book, I couldn't put it down. Like a good movie, I felt a knot in my stomach right from the first few pages as the main characters were introduced—a feeling that stayed with me throughout the entire book. The author’s own experiences in Tasmania provides the backdrop for several storylines spanning decades in this part of Australia; village life there is charming and breathtaking, yet it is also a closed community rife with gossip and social constraints—much like the old days in Denmark, where the butcher’s son *had* to marry the miller’s daughter, rather than a young woman of a different social standing. There is high-octane drama involving families, lovers, and spouses. There are no clichés here; the protagonists have lived real—and at times tragic—lives. But there are good moments, too. And the ending does not disappoint! Ostenfeld successfully portrays the values ​​and flaws of the Australian people throughout the novel, describing both the wild landscape and the history spanning from World War II to the present day. It never reads like a mere travelogue getting bogged down in excessive historical references. That is why, even though this isn't usually my genre, I couldn't stop reading. Good read indeed.

[Revolutionary Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Time by Vicki Ostenfeld is a moving historical novel that spans five decades, exploring the emotional aftermath of war and the difficult choices people must make when peace finally arrives.

At the heart of the story is the conflict between Frank’s dream of building a successful Merino wool farm and Amy’s ambition to pursue a career in medicine. As the war ends, they long for stability and happiness, but soon discover that peace brings its own challenges when two people envision different futures.

Set against the beautiful landscapes of Queensland and Tasmania, the novel captures the changing social and cultural realities of post-war Australia. It thoughtfully portrays how war leaves lasting scars, not only on those who fought but also on those left behind, whose lives can never fully return to what they once were.

Rich in emotion, Another Time explores themes of love, betrayal, sacrifice, resilience, and shifting moral values. Vicki Ostenfeld creates characters whose struggles feel authentic and deeply human, making this a heartfelt and reflective read.

A compelling novel that reminds us that while wars may end, their impact often echoes through generations

[Julien Cort · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story really got to me because it's not just a simple romance, it's actually about the difficult compromises people had to make back then. You have Frank who is just desperate to get back to his family wool farm and then Amy who has worked so hard as a nurse and wants to be a doctor in Sydney. It felt very realistic how they struggled to figure out if they could even have a life together without one of them giving up everything. Vicki Ostenfeld writes with a lot of heart and the historical detail about the Australian army and the post-war shift felt very authentic to me. It is a long read covering fifty years but I liked seeing how the moral changes of the century played out through their family. A very honest look at love and sacrifice.

[Rajveer Tandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking look at how we build a life together. The story starts right as the war is ending and you can really feel the pressure on Amy and Frank to make a decision about where they are going to live. It is such a classic dilemma, the city versus the country, and the way they try to weave their lives together is written so well. I found the themes of fidelity and family ties very relatable even though it is set decades ago. Another Time really makes you appreciate how much the 20th century shifted in terms of what was expected of people. There were a few moments where I didn't agree with the characters' choices, but that just made them feel more human and less like cardboard cutouts. A very solid, moving read for anyone who likes family sagas.

[Ingrid Dahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story really got to me, especially how it handles the exhaustion of the war years. You can almost feel the heat in Cairns as Frank finishes those long shifts and meets Amy. It’s not just a simple romance, it’s about people trying to find a bit of normalcy when everything is so uncertain. I loved the bits about them swimming at the cascades and just trying to be young despite the world falling apart. Vicki Ostenfeld has a real knack for those small, human details that make historical fiction feel so much more personal. It’s a lovely read if you want something with heart that doesn't shy away from the reality of the 1940s.

[Mara Santori · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so refreshing to read about the war from a local perspective, particularly the training camps around Cairns. The author, Vicki Ostenfeld, captures the atmosphere perfectly, from the humid weather to the social life at the pictures. I liked how Amy wasn't just a background character, she has her own ambitions about medical school which was quite forward-thinking for 1944. Their dates at the tea gardens and the train ride to Kuranda were so well described, I felt like I was right there with them. A really beautiful, calm story about finding love when you least expect it during a very difficult time in history.

[Anaya Singhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found myself really rooting for Frank and Amy throughout the whole book. Frank has been through so much in New Guinea and you can see how he's just trying to find his feet again. The dialogue felt very natural, not overly dramatic or polished, just how real people would speak. There are some lovely moments where they just enjoy each other's company, like the swimming scenes or sharing sandwiches. It reminds you that even during a war, life still goes on and people still fall in love. Another Time is a really touching look at a specific moment in time that I didn't know much about before.

[Kavya Narain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the way this book explored the different backgrounds of the characters, with Frank coming from a small farm and Amy being more of a city girl. It made their relationship feel more realistic as they found common ground through music and books. The historical setting is handled with a lot of care, especially the bits about the soldiers and the nurses' roles during the later years of the war. It’s not an action-heavy book, but the emotional stakes feel very high. Definitely worth a read if you like historical fiction that focuses more on the people than the politics of the time.

[Elias Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something very special about the way Frank and Amy’s relationship develops in Another Time. It’s not a rushed thing, they really take the time to get to know each other amongst all the chaos of the war ending. I liked the supporting characters too, like Blue and Dorothy, they added a lot of life to the story. The bit where they go to the cinema and then have to say goodbye is quite heartbreaking. It really makes you realise how precarious life was for that generation. A very well-researched and emotionally honest book that stayed with me for a long time after finishing.