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Queenslander
Not yet published
Expected 21 Apr 26Farms collect broken things. Things awaiting resurrection.
Since getting out of juvie, Ronnie Madonna has built a tentative life in Lionheart working as a farmhand for Nev at Upsend Downs, but one thing is still missing: her daughter Rainbow.
When she realizes she has a chance to get Rainbow back, she must prove she is a responsible adult and a good mother. Her quest will take a village, and will force her to confront demons from her past. Will she follow her football dreams to Brisbane or put down roots on the land that holds a mysterious power over her and her boss?
Ten years ago, jaded former war photographer Nev Bickerman woke to a pregnant teenager smashing the family room with a cricket bat. Now, Nev is far too professional to admit she’s falling in love.
Welcome to Lionheart, aka “Line Hat,” a small town between the Outback and the rainforest healing from colonial scars, where climate change threatens both agriculture and eco-tourism. Gritty and hilarious, with emotional momentum, Queenslander is the first book in this Australian family drama series about a close-knit village of misfits and monsters.
"This extraordinary debut from Laura Garden is so many things: a lyrical ode to Queensland and its people, an exploration of love in all its many forms, a double portrait of two women who only appear to be perfect opposites to one another, but in fact share a bond deeper than blood. Queenslander, like its protagonists Ronnie and Nev, never gives up its secrets easily, but the rewards along the way are well worth the journey. Lush and transportive, tender and fierce, this is a novel that lives on well after the last page."
—Hesse Phillips, author of Lightborne
"A moving story about queer family, identity, and belonging set on a sheep farm in Australia, Queenslander shows how people can atone for their past mistakes and discover who they're meant to be.”
—Milo Todd, nationally bestselling author of The Lilac People
Since getting out of juvie, Ronnie Madonna has built a tentative life in Lionheart working as a farmhand for Nev at Upsend Downs, but one thing is still missing: her daughter Rainbow.
When she realizes she has a chance to get Rainbow back, she must prove she is a responsible adult and a good mother. Her quest will take a village, and will force her to confront demons from her past. Will she follow her football dreams to Brisbane or put down roots on the land that holds a mysterious power over her and her boss?
Ten years ago, jaded former war photographer Nev Bickerman woke to a pregnant teenager smashing the family room with a cricket bat. Now, Nev is far too professional to admit she’s falling in love.
Welcome to Lionheart, aka “Line Hat,” a small town between the Outback and the rainforest healing from colonial scars, where climate change threatens both agriculture and eco-tourism. Gritty and hilarious, with emotional momentum, Queenslander is the first book in this Australian family drama series about a close-knit village of misfits and monsters.
"This extraordinary debut from Laura Garden is so many things: a lyrical ode to Queensland and its people, an exploration of love in all its many forms, a double portrait of two women who only appear to be perfect opposites to one another, but in fact share a bond deeper than blood. Queenslander, like its protagonists Ronnie and Nev, never gives up its secrets easily, but the rewards along the way are well worth the journey. Lush and transportive, tender and fierce, this is a novel that lives on well after the last page."
—Hesse Phillips, author of Lightborne
"A moving story about queer family, identity, and belonging set on a sheep farm in Australia, Queenslander shows how people can atone for their past mistakes and discover who they're meant to be.”
—Milo Todd, nationally bestselling author of The Lilac People
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 21, 2026
3 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Laura Garden
1 book5 followersLaura Garden is the author of Queenslander, a novel coming out in April, 2026.
Laura Garden raises sheep and is a flower grower. She studied conservation biology in Yungaburra, Queensland with the School for Field Studies, where she fell in love with Australia. Garden is passionate about sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and conservation. She has won several writing competitions, including an award from Writer’s Digest’s Annual Writing Competition, as well as fellowships from Wesleyan University and Harvard University. She was longlisted for the Minds Shine Bright Prize in Melbourne. She runs the substack “Writing in Work Gloves.” She has a Masters from Harvard University and lives on a farm in Massachusetts.
Laura Garden raises sheep and is a flower grower. She studied conservation biology in Yungaburra, Queensland with the School for Field Studies, where she fell in love with Australia. Garden is passionate about sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and conservation. She has won several writing competitions, including an award from Writer’s Digest’s Annual Writing Competition, as well as fellowships from Wesleyan University and Harvard University. She was longlisted for the Minds Shine Bright Prize in Melbourne. She runs the substack “Writing in Work Gloves.” She has a Masters from Harvard University and lives on a farm in Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a seriously refreshing read. The characters are so well brought to life that I couldn’t put the book down because I was sharing their anxieties and joy so intensely. The description of the setting was stunning, I couldn’t put feel the fresh air of the country and picture all the plants and wildlife. I loved how integral the landscape and flora/fauna are to the characters’ lives.
The amount of yearning in this book is equalled only by the amount of understanding. The characters are clearly soulmates, but they are realistic and make difficult decisions, not based on tropes, but based on the situation they are in and the realities of their respective lives and personalities.
While there is plenty sexual tension, the story isn’t based around the amount of sex the author can squeeze into the book. The story flows beautifully, and encapsulated the delights and despairs the characters face as their lives weave together more and more.
Ronnie is a giant, muscular bisexual “disaster”… who is so much more than she appears.
Nev is a ln introverted lesbian who loves hard and sensibly.
Rainbow is an absolute delight of a child throughout the book. Her innocence and maturity mixing so well to produce a child character who feels real and adorable.
Reg is the dad we all wish we had. There are so many more characters who are important to the story and richly described.
The author writes with a flow that carries you through the story, the Australian slang and manner of speech clear through the book and adding to the atmosphere. It’s almost patriotic.
I cannot wait for the next book. I need more! But my poor heart won’t thank me.
The amount of yearning in this book is equalled only by the amount of understanding. The characters are clearly soulmates, but they are realistic and make difficult decisions, not based on tropes, but based on the situation they are in and the realities of their respective lives and personalities.
While there is plenty sexual tension, the story isn’t based around the amount of sex the author can squeeze into the book. The story flows beautifully, and encapsulated the delights and despairs the characters face as their lives weave together more and more.
Ronnie is a giant, muscular bisexual “disaster”… who is so much more than she appears.
Nev is a ln introverted lesbian who loves hard and sensibly.
Rainbow is an absolute delight of a child throughout the book. Her innocence and maturity mixing so well to produce a child character who feels real and adorable.
Reg is the dad we all wish we had. There are so many more characters who are important to the story and richly described.
The author writes with a flow that carries you through the story, the Australian slang and manner of speech clear through the book and adding to the atmosphere. It’s almost patriotic.
I cannot wait for the next book. I need more! But my poor heart won’t thank me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I started reading this book I thought I would get a lot of details about living in the Australian outback, the special struggles deal with there to survive and that was very interesting to read about. To follow the two MCs, Ronnie and Nev, their backstories and still on-going struggles were very difficult to read for me, abuse, addiction and so dark at times. I just sat and hoped for some happiness and romance but so little of that. Ronnie and Nev are both very troubled persons, and I struggled to see how they ever can get some sort of realistic HEA.
There were some sweet moments as well. To read about Ronnie fighting to get custody of her daughter Rainbow was the highlight of the book besides the very detailed nature descriptions. To be able to read this book key you are mentally prepared though since not for people also struggling in real life. I don’t think I will be able to read the planned sequel.
I received a free ARC via NetGalley and voluntarily leave an honest review.
There were some sweet moments as well. To read about Ronnie fighting to get custody of her daughter Rainbow was the highlight of the book besides the very detailed nature descriptions. To be able to read this book key you are mentally prepared though since not for people also struggling in real life. I don’t think I will be able to read the planned sequel.
I received a free ARC via NetGalley and voluntarily leave an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Queenslander by Laura Garden is a beautifully grounded story set against the vivid backdrop of rural Australia. The descriptions of the land and the farm life feel immersive and authentic, making the setting almost a character in its own right. This book will have you dreaming of life in the Outback and Rainforest. What makes this book so compelling is how deeply you will find yourself rooting for the MCs as they navigate their own personal journeys. The bond that forms between them is richly told and stays with you long after you have turned the last page. The village that steps in to support them is full of people you can’t help but love, adding warmth and heart to an already moving story. A must read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Queenslander is a sweeping epic set in a farm in the Australian outback, vividly described, a story about family lost, found and fought hard for. At the center is the relationship between Nev, a farmer and former war photographer, and Ronnie, a younger woman with a violent past. The star of this book is the land and the landscape and includes delightful details like a house whose inhabitants adore watching sport in a living room where they also run an animal shelter for adorable Australian baby critters. This book, its characters and story, will stick with you after you've finished reading. HUGE congrats to Laura Garden on writing such a beautiful debut novel!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Queenslander is an exciting read with lots of twists and turns. The book is full of drama but simultaneously feels very relatable. I grew to love the characters that are all rough around the edges- no one is polished here just like real life. It is full of action, family drama, and the writing style keeps you engaged until the end. I really enjoyed reading this book!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews