Private Morey's Jacket: In war-torn Australia, hope is hard to find.

by Kate Broadway

When Japan launches a devastating invasion of Australia, Isla’s world shatters. Her husband is sent to the frontlines, leaving her with nothing but a promise—to protect Morey, the rescue dog she never wanted.

As evacuation trains arrive, the Army refuses to let Morey on board. Torn between her vow and survival, Isla makes a choice that changes everything.

Turning her back on safety, she flees north, crossing paths with Eugene, a young man running from his past. Together, they take shelter in her family’s abandoned farmhouse in rural Victoria. As days turn into weeks, survival creates a bond between them that neither expected.

But as their fragile sanctuary begins to crumble, Isla must make an impossible stay true to the promise she made, or follow the pull of her heart.

In a world on the brink, her promise might be the one thing that saves them all. Will Isla keep her word… or was Morey always destined to be another casualty of war?

---

Set in a reimagined world with an alternate ending to WWII, Private Morey’s Jacket is the debut novel from Australian author Kate Broadway. A stirring tale of love, loyalty, and what it means to keep a promise when the world is falling apart.

Genres: Romance

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2025

About the author

Kate Broadway lives in Melbourne with her husband and enjoys quiet afternoons with a good story—be it a book, movie, or TV series—and a cup of tea. A lifelong dog lover (Western Bulldogs included), she finds joy in simple moments, exploring local markets and eating nachos on her own with zero shame.

With a background in theatre, Kate brings her stories to life through atmosphere, character, and emotion—creating layered, vivid worlds that feel deeply real. Her debut novel, Private Morey’s Jacket, was inspired by her beloved dog Murray, who passed away in early 2025. Kate blended her love of history (passed down from her dad), dogs, and rural Victoria to craft the book’s setting and soul.

She began writing Private Morey’s Jacket by hand during summer camping trips with friends and completed it during Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns, editing it alongside her dad.

Connect with Kate on Instagram @kate.broadway.author for behind-the-scenes glimpses, future releases, and the occasional bookish ramble.

Reviews

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to Kate for gifting us a copy to read and review.
What happens if Japan invades Australia and war breaks out?
Kate Broadway’s debut novel is an alternate history tale that feels so real, possibly could be a reality one day and answers that question.
War torn Australia is rampant and now.
For Isla, her world is about to collapse.
Her husband Thomas is called up.
So she must stay safe and be true to a promise to protect rescue dog, Morey.
As the trains arrive for evacuation, Isla makes a split second decision.
Making her way across the dirt to take shelter at her father in law’s, Isla lands at the abandoned property.
She meets Eugene who is hiding a secret.
As the months past a bond forms until Isla must make a heart wrenching decision.
A powerful story of sacrifice, courage, friendship and love.
This story has so much realism, emotion and truth to it.
A scene earlier in the book when Isla and her sister are boarding a train, I really felt the tense situation and emotion coming from the pages.
A war narrative with an Aussie flavour.
I really enjoyed this book so much that when I finished I wanted more.
Looking forward to see where Kate goes next….

[Coz · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the moment I saw this book and read the synopsis, I knew it was a book I HAD to read. Australian? Tick. War/historical fiction? Tick. Cute pup? Tick.

PMJ follows Isla & Morey’s journey into the unknown. When the Japs invade Australia, Isla’s husband, Thomas, is forced to return to the frontlines. His last parting request is that Isla protects Morey. Morey, a flee ridden mutt from a shelter. Isla, a woman who I would say hates dogs and had done since she was a child. Along the way she meets several men who become an integral part of the storyline and really pulls on your emotions.

Isla’s journey of self discovery, and building trust between human and pup is done very well. It’s also beautiful to see Isla’s transformation towards Morey as the story develops.

I think the world building was done very well, and if you’ve ever been out bush or to rural farms in Australia, you’ll be really imagine the settings. Although fiction, having real Australian towns and landmarks really helped me to understand the sheer scale of the war.

This book is filled with suspense, life & death situations, love and ultimate sacrifices that will leave you yearning for more.

I think there were a few areas I would have loved to have seen a little more fleshing out to help really create that emotional connection and ultimately create that tension of “omg, what’s going to happen”. But it’s so well written and I’m looking forward to more books from this author!

The ending had me up past midnight, crying more than my new baby niece who was born a few days prior! 🤭 you can tell that this story is Kate’s baby and the passion is very clear throughout the book!

Thank you so much Kate, for sending me an early signed copy, along with all the goodies. It’s a beautiful read!

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a fabulous Aussie debut Private Morey’s Jacket by Kate Broadway is!

Set in a reimagined time with an alternate ending to WWII, we follow Isla as her world shatters when Japan launches an invasion of Australia.

As I began reading this one I was transported back to my teenage obsession with the Tomorrow, When the War began series! This is the adult version and I could not put it down…it’s so good!!!

The short chapters work fabulously to keep the pacing fast and you as a reader engrossed in the storyline. The ending was satisfying but also open enough for a sequel 🤞 This is an impressive debut of love, loyalty, and keeping promises in uncertain times. I loved it!

Thank you Kate for a #gifted copy to read and honestly review.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite reads of the year so far 😮‍💨
Second to that, I want to thank Kate for the eARC of Private Morey’s Jacket. It reads like The Nightingale with the heart and charm of being Australian. Isla isn’t your typical female lead, she isn’t outrageously (or even remotely) bold, yet you fall in love with every step she takes with hope towards Thomas. When a promise to look after Morey (despite her not so nice feelings towards our furry friend) leads into the most beautiful story filled with sacrifice, love and courage. Historical Fiction is my favourite genre and it continues to show me why. Currently still on the same stage of awe when I finished it a few days ago. 😌

[Ex Libris BD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Private Morey’s Jacket is a gut-wrenching tale of survival, love, and endurance. In an alternative post-WWII Australia, the Japanese have staged a deadly attack on South-Eastern Australia 80 years after the Emerald Treaty is signed. Isla’s husband, Thomas, enlists and departs for the front, leaving their new dog Morey in her care. As more of Victoria is engulfed by war and the Japanese gain more ground every day, Isla and Morey evacuate to the safety of rural north-west of the state. Getting there is a battle in itself, but will they be able to survive everything ahead of them?

Let me start by saying I did not expect this book to be as powerful as it was. I had just come off the back of reading another ARC that was, unfortunately, less than impressive, and my standards were low... but I hooked on this story by the end of the prologue, was giving my husband updates on the fictional war, and ended up reading this book in a day. The thought that went into the reimagining of Australian war history was realistic and believable, and I was emotionally invested, which is just what you want as a reader. We were launched into the action and heartache of war straight away; I was in tears within the first 50 pages, and the rest of the story followed similarly with many teary moments throughout. I would liked to have seen a bit more relationship development between a few different characters to help deepen the emotional attachment to really hit home the horrors of war, and maybe some of the issues made a bit more "higher stakes". Without giving away any spoilers, I felt some interactions and decisions were rushed, and that there could’ve been some more everyday life interactions, emotions and events shown on page. But these things were minor in relation to the overall impact of the story.

I look forward to seeing this book do very well, and I am confident that it will. I can easily see it being picked up for a screen adaptation one day. I highly recommend this book for any historical fiction and romance readers, as well as any dog lovers. If you’re an Australian, especially if you’re a Melburnian or Victorian, you’ll experience this story through a completely different lens. Enjoy.

[Chelsea Pinkard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - Thanks to the author/publisher for the ARC!
I’ve always loved alternate history books and seldom are they Australia-focused, so the plot of Private Morey’s Jacket immediately captivated me. The author spins a well thought-out and detailed timeline of alternate historical events in the prologue which is believable and logical enough that it really helps to ground the entire rest of the book in realism (think Back to the Future 2, when Doc is explaining the skewed off timeline). And as someone who lives and commutes to work in Melbourne, reading about battles in the Melbourne CBD, of people evacuating on Melbourne trains, it all felt incredibly visceral and raw and real. I immediately fell in love with Morey (how could I not!) and I really enjoyed how Isla’s character developed alongside her growing acceptance, then begrudging liking, to downright loving her dog. Eugene grew on me over the course of the book, and as somebody with a close family member who suffers from seizures his health issues felt very honestly portrayed. But it was Boyd, bless him, who was my favourite character in the end. The pacing was quite well done and it was a very readable story, I flew through big chunks of it whenever I sat down to read. Overall, I really really enjoyed this book and I’ll definitely be word-of-mouth recommending it to people (I’ve already name dropped it twice to colleagues at work) as release day draws nearer!!

[Anabela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Private Morey’s Jacket reimagines history with a powerful “what if?”—what if WWII had ended differently, and Japan invaded Australia? In this alternate world, Isla makes a heartfelt promise to her soldier husband, setting off a chain of events that echo far beyond the battlefield.

And then there’s Morey — the brave, clever, loyal dog at the heart of this story. His bond with Isla is beautifully written and absolutely tugs at the heartstrings. I’m always drawn to stories where animals play a meaningful role, and Morey steals the show in the best possible way.

This debut is moving, emotional, and deeply human—a story of sacrifice, courage, resilience, and love. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause, breathe, and hold your loved ones a little tighter.

A powerful and heartwarming read, and an incredible debut.

[Shy_Bookworm_Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler… the dog survives! Now that that’s out of the way…

This debut novel by Broadway was incredible from page one until the bittersweet ending. The tone of the book rotates between strong intense emotions to moments of sweet delight seamlessly.

The design behind this reimagining world of Australia losing WW2 to Japan was so believable and realistic that you will be swept away in the raw emotions, strength, and courage of these characters. The connection between the three main characters was nicely fleshed out and grew naturally as the story developed and their secrets were unraveled. You will definitely need a box of tissues on standby for this amazing novel.

Broadway masterfully takes us on a roller coaster ride from panicking over the invasion, despair over loved ones, excitement over new acquaintances, and love for a dog that everyone needs to read about.

I highly recommend everyone to add this to their TBR pile when it comes out next month. Definitely an author to keep an eye out for in the future!

Thank you to Kate for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Brooke Layer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Private Morey’s Jacket • Kate Broadway

Private Morey’s Jacket is Kate Broadway’s debut novel. Thank you, Kate for kindly gifting me this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Japan launches a devastating invasion of Australia, Isla’s world shatters. Her husband is sent to the frontlines, leaving her with nothing but a promise — to protect Morey, the rescue dog she never wanted.
Private Morey’s Jacket is a story of modern day Australian war. Everything felt so realistic and human. I felt connected to the characters by the end of the book. I genuinely cared for them.

Starting this book I thought ‘how could Isla not love dogs?’ And I may have held that thought against her for a little bit. I loved this story. Everything was so easy to follow, it didn’t feel like a debut novel. I found myself almost immediately hooked on the story and the characters, especially Morey, of course. I couldn’t put the book down and each time I had to put it down I was itching to pick it up again. I got lost in the story and time flew past before I knew it. I cried, I laughed, I cried again. This book did something to me and I just can’t explain it.

I wish there was a little bit more relationship building between a few characters but other than that I have no notes.

Private Morey’s Jacket felt like it was written by an author who had been writing for years.

I genuinely hope there is a second book because I need to keep reading this story. I can already see the movie adaptation coming.

Thank you again, Kate. I sincerely appreciate the thought and love you put into the PR box and for sending me Private Morey’s Jacket.

[Marie Woolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dogs are so much more than just pets, and little Morey stands up to the occasion. What a great nod to all of our four-legged friends and how they shape and share the world around us.

This story reaches into an alternate history and quickly connects you to the lives, hearts, and decisions of each character. A delicate acknowledgment to anyone who has experienced hardship around war and the intertwined individual struggles that they face.

Kate and Murray surely blew me away with their debut.

[AngieA Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose Private Morey's Jacket: In war-torn Australia, hope is hard to find. as I am a casual student of WWII and spend most of my time in the European theater so this offering based in the Pacific attracted me. Also, I was concurrently reading What If?: The World's Foremost Historians Imagine What Might Have Been, another counter-factual history book. My knowledge of the part Australia played, aside from personnel, is limited. I did not know that the continent could have been taken by the Japanese and that the course of the war could have been altered by a different outcome at the Battle of Isurava. I assume most Aussie school kids are aware of this history. I am grateful to be informed.

There was a moment of discomfort when the Japanese are referred to in less than flattering language; but there is a trigger warning at the beginning, so I wasn't surprised. This is counter-factual history, so I moved passed it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Isla and Thomas are living their life together when Thomas brings home a rescue dog called Morey. Isla hates dogs but she puts up with this one for Thomas' sake. Thomas is a soldier and when the Japanese attack and war breaks out, he has to leave. He asks Isla to care for Morey. She promises. This promise leads to the adventures and hardships that Isla then encounters as she has to evacuate her home, leaving her family behind for Morey's sake. She makes her way to her in-laws' farm and finds Eugene already there. They strike up an alliance as they attempt to wait out the conflict. In the mean time, a platoon of soldiers with their wounded Sergeant arrives. Boyd is too injured to continue with the others, so they leave him behind. Later, on a trip into town, which is deserted, they discover a young boy, Tanner, who is all alone. This is the rag tag family we follow.

I enjoyed this book completely. We fall in love with all of the characters, each drawn to their own specifications and fully. Their back stories are told subtly so we feel we know them already. The relationship between Isla and Thomas and then Isla and Eugene invites our empathy to her situation. The tension when Eugene becomes ill and our group has to leave the farm is palpable. Boyd's courage is keen but not over blown. Isla is womanly and not weak. Thomas' sacrifice is felt, though we haven't had as much time with him. And Morey is the thread that keeps them altogether.

I found myself moved by this story of war refugees and their trials and triumphs. It is a short read, only 256 pages and moves quickly. I will be doing some additional research on the Battle of Isurava so I, too, can be grateful to those who served and sacrificed for their country.

[Maggie Szabó · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other than knowing this was a 'doggy book' (I'm a sucker for books about dogs - Marley and Me, I'm looking at you!) I had no idea what I was about to read when I received the ARC of Private Morey's Jacket.
Off the bat, the opening drew me in. A twist of fate; a simple case of a small battle in PNG not going the way history remembers it, and the end of WWII sees northern Australia lost to the Imperial Japanese Government of Occupation. I had to sit and let that seep in first - imagine if that was our reality?
For the characters in this book, this is their reality. For eighty years, the Big Ditch has kept the two halves of the country (three if you count the fact the WA seceded in the story) apart, until the Japanese decide to take the rest of the country, too.
This is the frightening reality Isla and her Army husband, Thomas, find themselves in. When Thomas has to march off to war, he leaves behind the dog he recently brought home, Morey, to take care of Isla. She hates dogs and tinned food in equal measure, but as the weeks and months drag on, and she has to escape to the family farm, she realises her life depends on both.
At the farm she meets Eugene, a guy carrying his own secrets, and together they try and survive until help arrives, or the war finishes, whichever happens first. Help arrives in the form of Boyd, an injured soldier, who gets left at the farm, although the help he offers doesn't look like it in the beginning.
I absolutely loved this book. The characters are so well fleshed-out, and their dialogue was very realistic and true to character.
The setting was described with great accuracy, and it was so refreshing to read a book about people battling the horrors of finding food and talking about war in modern-day Australia.
The only thing extra I think I would liked to have read was some inkling of what the rest of the world looked like, due to this alternate post-WWII time line. I wondered if they all had their hands tied with other messes, because there appeared to be no foreign help offered to fight this new war.
Definitely 10/10
Read it if you love reading!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What. A. Debut!

The end of WWII didn’t work out quite the way Australia expected. Japan has managed to secure the NT, Western Australia has become independent and Australia lives in a constant ceasefire with Japan. But our army is always watching them across “The Ditch”, waiting, just waiting.
Isla and Thomas want a family. Thomas has left his position in the Australian Army and while they struggle to conceive, Thomas convinces Isla to get a dog. Enter stage left Morey.
Suddenly overnight Australia is thrust into a war with Japan, again after a calculated invasion 80 years after the last attack! Thomas gone and Isla stuck with Morey, a dog she never wanted in the first place, starts long and difficult journey to find both herself and her happiness across a war torn Australian countryside.

What Kate Broadway does in 250pgs in no mean feat, this book is jam packed with action, intrigue, heart and serious dread. Her way with words thrusts the reader into an unbelievably real alternative Australian reality, while still capturing the beauty of what makes Australia magical. Our land, our people, our unbeatable spirit.
I found this book gripping from the first page to the last. Every character is endearing in their own ways. Isla, unsure about who she truly is and what is most important to her. Eugene with a heart of gold and endless tenacity. Boyd, cantankerous at times but stalwart to the end.
And the cavalcade of other characters that jam-packed this story with life!

But lest I forget Morey, the undercurrent of the whole narrative. For anyone that has had a dog, you know the unwavering love a dog gives. Their never-ending need to protect and bring comfort to their people. It’s not surprising that Morey is the story’s life blood.
You will love this book if: you love well written literature. You love dogs. You ever read Tomorrow When the War Began as a kid and wished as an adult you could capture the magic of reading it for the first time again!

[Mara (readwithmaramiloandmaple) · Rating 5 out of 5]

💥 Private Morey’s Jacket by Kate Broadway
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The dedication alone—“For everyone that had their hearts broken by Red Dog and Marley & Me”—had me heading straight to doesthedogdie.com, then flying into the author’s DMs to see if I’d emotionally survive.

(I was given the green light—and thank goodness, because I loved loved loved every second.)

Set in a chillingly plausible alternate present day where in the alternate reality past Australia was invaded in WWII and forced into a land treaty, Private Morey’s Jacket is the kind of book that gets under your skin. It made me genuinely uncomfortable at times—but in that powerful, thought-provoking way. You can’t help but imagine what if—what if this were our real history? What would I do? Where would I go? And most importantly, what the hecking heck would I do with my own (MUCH less obedient) dogs?

Isla’s journey, her raw courage, and the relationship she forms with Morey—the rescue dog she never asked for but ends up fiercely loving—had my heart in a chokehold. You could call this a modern-day, adult version of Tomorrow, When the War Began (and I know I won’t be the only one thinking that), and I am so here for it.

Also: we get a brief section in Morey’s POV (!!) and honestly, as a longtime fan of Dean Koontz’s dog narrators, I would’ve loved even more of that. Morey stole the show, and I would’ve happily read another chapter or two through those soulful eyes.

Emotive, gut-wrenching, gorgeous—and so worth it. An absolute cracker of a debut. I wished it were longer! Must read for Australian history fans and dog lovers alike, available 18 August.

Many thanks to the author for this ARC. 🙌

💔P.S. Keep the tissues close for the final chapters—Morey is fine I promise

[Pousali Ghosh (thispandareads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite genre that I absolutely adore is historical fiction. And when it’s done right, it not only tugs at your heart but also makes you bawl at least once throughout the book. This book is one of them. And what’s really gut wrenching is that this book is so close to home. Reading about the Aussie countryside made me so emotional that I could relate to and visualise the events that were written in the book. It’s such a beautiful story that the book will stay with you for a long time to come.

When the Japs invade Australia, Isla’s husband Thomas is called to the frontlines. He gives the responsibility of Morey, their dog, to Isla before leaving. Isla as long as she can remember doesn’t like dogs but no one leaves family behind, even if they are not likeable. There after starts Isla’s journey of taking care of Morey and through him, finding herself. But will she be able to stay true to her promise of taking care of Morey?

There is so much emotion attached to this book. So many times I was holding my breath for Morey because I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I am not kidding when I say that I was bawling so many times through the book and then at the ending. You’d not expect the ending, but it just made the book more wholesome. Morey has my whole heart 🫶🏼


Thank you Kate for sending me an early copy of your beautiful book. The world will soon get to see your incredible talent and I’m so excited for it!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Private Morey’s Jacket by Kate Broadway.

In Kate Broadway’s debut novel, Australia is a different country after losing to the Japanese in World War II. Not the safe, free country we reside in, but a country subjected to war once again. This time, however, it is a war on home soil, Australian’s fighting for Australia.

Isla and Thomas have recently adopted Morey, a crossbreed pup, much to Isla’s disdain.
It is the beginning of their family, although not exactly the beginning Isla had been hoping for. Isla had promised Thomas that she would concede to a dog, if he would retire from the army and be at home with her.

After almost a year of their new life, the unthinkable happens, and war breaks out. Thomas is once again a soldier, however this time it is on the frontlines. Isla is left heartbroken, with a dog she never wanted, and her world turned upside down. Promising Thomas to keep Morey safe is the one thing that keeps Isla going.

This book is a powerful read that had me hooked from the very beginning. It’s a look at human nature, both good and bad, and how we are often led by the heart rather than the head. The writing is extremely emotive, with the ability to make the reader understand what the characters are going through.

A highly recommended read for dog lovers, Australians, romantics, historical buffs (although this is an alternate history fiction) and any who has ever loved or been in love.

Thank you to Kate Broadway for my ARC copy of Private Morey’s Jacket, in return for an honest review.

Release date August 18, 2025

[Book My Imagination · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you love books with animals featured?

I do, and yet I always find myself sobbing at some stage throughout the book.
And @kate.broadway.author found this out when I messaged her in a moment of utter despair. 😅😭
(Thanks for putting up with my moment, Kate 🤣)

I knew as soon as I opened it to the dedication page that I was in for an emotional yet good read.
"To Dad and everyone else who had their hearts broken by Red Dog & Marley & Me."

Yep, I was definitely one of these. Even now, thinking about Red Dog, my heart breaks.

But this book is not only about the wonderful dog you encounter within these pages.
It's a story of love, friendship, hope, war, unexpected bonds, fear, and the ever so subtle moments that meld people together when faced with uncertainty.
Kate has written a book that gives the reader the desolation and atmosphere of a sunburnt country in a land under siege.
Whilst the reader is amongst this world, unknowingly, your heart is captured by the love and adoration of Private Morey, the love that only a pet can give you.
There when you need them and when you don't realise you need them.

This is what shocked me.
The ease in which Private Morey stole my heart.

Thank you so much for sending me a wonderful package, Kate. I truly loved reading this book, and I look forward to your next.

[Nikki Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not only a story of battle, in regard to war, but one of the hearts too.

This is a reimagining of WWII in Melbourne, Victoria and the story of Isla, who’s husband has been sent to the frontlines, leaving her behind with Morey, a rescue dog and a promise to keep him by her side no matter what. She soon finds herself seeking shelter in rural Victorian and comes face to face with loss, hunger, danger and expected events.

It is a story of survival, loyalty, sacrifice and love.

This is Kate’s debut novel and you could feel her passion for this story with every turn of her page.

Some parts of the story I did feel were bit rushed and this is where I would lose some of the emotional feelings that were just on the edge of being felt and unfortunately parts just didn’t quite hit me, like I was expecting.

Even though this is a reimagining, Kate did an incredible job with the details and honestly, I thought parts were based on true events.

Thank-you to Kate for an Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review.

[TheSeasonedReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and her team for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I was invested in this story from the very start, thanks to the author's immersive writing style. It’s a beautiful yet gut-wrenching read that brought me to tears more than once.

Set in an alternate post–WWII Australia where Japan has invaded, we follow Isla as she navigates life after her husband, Thomas, is sent to the frontlines. Left with their rescue dog, Morey — a dog Isla never really wanted — she promises to keep him safe.

But when Isla is forced to flee her home and decides to head to Thomas’s father’s property in north-western Victoria, Morey becomes much more than just a promise made to Thomas.Their journey together is filled with human encounters, danger, heartbreak, and moments that showcase the unwavering loyalty of a dog, and the deep bond that can grow between human and animal.

This is a beautiful story of love, strength, and companionship.

[Jarrod Murrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go and give your dog a hug right now 🐕🐾

I love a good book with a dog, and this one didn’t disappoint.

While war stories aren’t my normal cup of tea, this one intrigued me from the moment I read the blurb. Set in an alternate reality where Japan is attaching Australia to grow the territory they already hold, Isla promises her husband that she will keep their dog Morey, the dog that she didn’t want, safe until he returns from the war.

This is story of survival, of love, and of acceptance.

The farm setting for the majority of the book provides a false sense of domesticity where you can forget that there’s a war on, almost. It’s here where the characters really shine, where the settings that Kate writes lift the story out of the page.

While the story didn’t end up how I thought it would (thankfully), the ending just worked. And the moment when Morey gets his jacket is just 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[MikiMayhem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an E-ARC in return for my honest review. 


Isla wakes one morning to find war once again raging across Australia. When her husband re-enlists, she’s left with only a promise - to care for his loyal rescue dog. And she does, with fierce dedication.


I absolutely loved this book. The story grips you from the first page. There’s no slow build up, no fluff, just immediate, emotional impact. Kate Broadway’s writing is vivid and heartfelt, bringing urgency, fear, and hope to life in a way that lingers long after you finish reading.


If you're a fan of Tomorrow, When the War Began, this novel will speak straight to your heart. It delivers a powerful mix of action, emotion, and loyalty in a uniquely Australian setting. I couldn’t put it down.


Highly recommended.

[E.C. Glynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a wonderful read. It’s been a long time since I’ve read anything that’s not fantasy, and this book as a stand alone, Australian fiction novel managed to hold me firm. It gave me nostalgic TWTWB vibes, but a bit older, a bit more adult, and more of a romance.


I loved all the characters - Kate Broadway gives us a great sense of each of them as individuals and it was an eclectic and interesting cast. It was also paced really nicely with enough drama to keep me engaged without feeling overwhelmingly stressed, even though there were some really gritty parts. An incredible debut from a writer who already seems like she has a mature voice, and a really enjoyable read. Loved it

[Karen Bowness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Private Morey’s Jacket by Kate Broadway is something really special.

Set in a reimagined world where Australia was invaded by Japan in WWII and is currently under attack, it follows Isla, whose life is torn apart when her husband is sent to war. All she has is a promise to protect Morey, the rescue dog she never thought she’d love so much. When evacuation trains refuse to take him, Isla makes a split-second choice to run north with Morey by her side. Along the way she meets Eugene, a man with a tough past, and together the three of them find a fragile kind of hope in rural Victoria.

It’s moving, tense, and full of heart. The bond between Isla, Eugene, and Morey is unforgettable. If you love emotional historical stories (with a brave pup stealing the show 🐾), this one’s for you.

[Emilie (emiliesbookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Private Morey’s Jacket is moving, gripping, heartwarming, heartbreaking and hopeful packed into 236 wonderfully written pages

This beautiful book will absolutely be in my Top 5 reads for this year

What if the war had ended differently?

Isla’s husband Thomas as been sent to the front lines and asks her to promise to protect Morey their rescue dog while he is gone. Isla didn’t want Morey and reluctantly agrees

When the Army won’t let Isla bring Morey into the evacuation camps she makes a decision to keep her promise and begins a journey to a quiet rural property in the hopes of keeping both herself and Morey safe

At the risk of saying to much I am going to simply say this debut book is amazing 🤩

It brought all the feels in all the right ways (and highly recommend tissues!)

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

With thanks to Book Sirens and the author and publisher for this ARC.

Right from the dedication - I feared the worst for Private Morey.

And what a debut for author Kate Broadway. Can't wait for her next novel if this is the start of her literary career.

A tale of war, love, courage and dedication - Private Morey's Jacket is a "just one more chapter" read and suddenly the book has come to an end after being totally immersed from prologue to bonus chapter.

Run - don't walk to grab yourself a copy of this Aussie fictional-war novel. Highly recommended.

[Maddy_TNN · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic book! I was gifted this book and wow is it beautiful! The cover is amazing and matches the story completely. I’m usually a spicy romance reader, but this was a great in between book.

I really enjoyed the plot and I loved being able to recognise locations and other Aussie things. This is a fantastic debut Novel and Kate should be so proud with what she has produced. Highly recommend if you want a sweet, pull at your heart strings book with a couple of little twists that keep you on your toes.

[Liisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cracker of a debut.
I picked up Private Morey’s Jacket expecting clever alt-history — and ended up completely swept away. It broke my heart (in the best way), then gently pieced it back together. By the final chapters, I was leaning forward, flipping pages faster, whispering: “Protect Morey at all costs.” 🐾

Kate Broadway reimagines post-WWII Australia with eerie plausibility: the Brisbane Line has been ceded, and a demilitarised zone known as “The Ditch” divides the continent. Eighty years after the armistice, Japan launches a surprise invasion — and Isla’s world falls apart.

We meet Isla and her husband Thomas as they navigate infertility — a quiet grief rendered with so much tenderness. When Isla reluctantly agrees to adopt a rescue dog (Morey, of course), it’s the beginning of something far greater than either of them could have imagined. And when the Army refuses to let Morey board the evacuation train, Isla makes a choice that changes everything.

Yes, this is a war story. But more than that, it’s a story about love, loyalty, resilience, and the promises we make — even when everything else is falling apart. Broadway writes with clarity, compassion, and quiet power. Her characters feel raw, real, and deeply human. Even Isla’s resistance to being a “dog person” is rendered with such nuance that I couldn’t help but care.

Morey will stay with me. So will Isla.
A beautiful, devastating, unforgettable read.

🔥 For fans of high-stakes emotional fiction with heart.
📍 Alt-history | Australian setting | Found family | Quiet courage
📚 Read it. Hug your dog. Cry a little. Then come talk to me about it.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
📅 Out 18 August 2025.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Kate for sending me an ARC. This debut novel was absolutely amazing! Based on an alternate ending of the war in 1942, this story follows Isla and her dog on their journey of survival during a fictional war between Japan and Australia.
I found the characters to be very well written and the connections so real. It was an easy read yet with enough tension to keep you reading. And the ending… Wow!

[Belinda S 》beesblurbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful debut that touches on alot of emotions.

This fictional book explores the heartbreak and sheer determination to survive if WWII cut a different path and Japan successfully invaded and occupied Australia.

Amongst the heartbreak we saw new found friendships, healing, sacrifice and love in unlikely places. But the biggest love of all - both for the characters in the book and the reader, ended up being for the stinky flea ridden rescue dog, Morey.