What do you think?
Rate this book
Higher Learning
It is 1924, and Daisy is to spend the year living at her Aunt Sarah's house in Auckland, attending the local university to sharpen her science education and to gain the final qualifications she needs before she can attend medical school.
After the heartbreaking revelations at the end of After the Roses, Daisy must find a balance between what she longs for and what is possible; between heartfelt desire and doing what is right.
Daisy will need to navigate all this while adjusting to life in a new city and coping with demanding academic studies—and occasionally troublesome fellow students. Rising above it all to make a success of this year will take all her considerable strength of character.
After the heartbreaking revelations at the end of After the Roses, Daisy must find a balance between what she longs for and what is possible; between heartfelt desire and doing what is right.
Daisy will need to navigate all this while adjusting to life in a new city and coping with demanding academic studies—and occasionally troublesome fellow students. Rising above it all to make a success of this year will take all her considerable strength of character.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2025
12 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Shayne Parkinson
11 books363 followersI write historical novels set in New Zealand, starting in the 1880s and continuing through to the 1920s. I'm fascinated by social history, particularly that of my own country. I was born in New Zealand, and apart from two years in England have lived here all my life. I'm married to my childhood sweetheart, who grew up in the farming valley that's the inspiration for my imaginary one.
We have a few acres in the countryside, where we have an orchard and a large vegetable garden, and a small flock of sheep to keep the grass down. We make our own wine, cider, jams, jellies and sauces.
We have a few acres in the countryside, where we have an orchard and a large vegetable garden, and a small flock of sheep to keep the grass down. We make our own wine, cider, jams, jellies and sauces.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 9, 2026
Was wonderfully beautiful
Wow ;) Waited and wondered & if waited in anticipation... And what an utter joy to have been able to read about Daisy's journey further. The joy, the heartaches, the excitement, the finding, the balmy knowing home is just where you find love and just your people even if it is in two places... The places described, felt as if I was on the adventure with her , wishing I was there (while being all the way in South Africa- Rooihuiskraal) , it was so amazing, I want to go to google & google maps now and just like I teach my children, study the places & maps where it al takes place..my heart ached with her & I felt all the things... and honestly, No matter what happens, its her life and its her story..The end was so beautifully laid out, the adventures of Daisy continues and cant cant wait for the next book... What a testament of a wonderful , talented, well lived & loved writer - thank you Shayne! @}--'---,---
Wow ;) Waited and wondered & if waited in anticipation... And what an utter joy to have been able to read about Daisy's journey further. The joy, the heartaches, the excitement, the finding, the balmy knowing home is just where you find love and just your people even if it is in two places... The places described, felt as if I was on the adventure with her , wishing I was there (while being all the way in South Africa- Rooihuiskraal) , it was so amazing, I want to go to google & google maps now and just like I teach my children, study the places & maps where it al takes place..my heart ached with her & I felt all the things... and honestly, No matter what happens, its her life and its her story..The end was so beautifully laid out, the adventures of Daisy continues and cant cant wait for the next book... What a testament of a wonderful , talented, well lived & loved writer - thank you Shayne! @}--'---,---
December 18, 2025
A great addition to the series!
I've been reading this series for over 20 years and each book is as great as the other! This is a lovely addition continuing Daisy's journey! Im always amazed at the great detail of New Zealand that Shayne seamlessly creates a world of and thanks to her, Id love to visit some day! Purely due to her talent of showing it through this series! I already cant wait for the next book! X
I've been reading this series for over 20 years and each book is as great as the other! This is a lovely addition continuing Daisy's journey! Im always amazed at the great detail of New Zealand that Shayne seamlessly creates a world of and thanks to her, Id love to visit some day! Purely due to her talent of showing it through this series! I already cant wait for the next book! X
December 27, 2025
slipping back into family
I’ve been waiting for this series to continue for quite a while now. Born and raised in middle of Mississippi about as far from New Zealand as you can get, I feel as though I’m a part of this dear family on their journey. I look forward to further journeys. .
I’ve been waiting for this series to continue for quite a while now. Born and raised in middle of Mississippi about as far from New Zealand as you can get, I feel as though I’m a part of this dear family on their journey. I look forward to further journeys. .
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews