Jungle of Ashes

by Brynn Barineau, Caroline Hewitt (Narrator)

Step into the lush, dangerous world of the Amazon in this sweeping historical novel brought vividly to life by acclaimed narrator Caroline Hewitt, whose captivating performances include The Rhino Keeper, The Porcelain Menagerie, and The Choir.

In 1928, industrial titan Henry Ford launched an audacious experiment deep in the Brazilian Fordlandia, a company town meant to produce rubber for the Ford Motor Company and prove that American industry could tame the jungle. Instead, the dream spiraled into cultural conflict, ecological disaster, and human tragedy.

Seventeen-year-old Joanna Rogge arrives in the Amazon after her father accepts a management position at the ambitious plantation. Far from the rigid expectations of her life in Michigan, Joanna is captivated by the beauty and danger of the rainforest—and by Rafael Caetano, a talented Brazilian mechanic with ambitions of his own.

As Fordlandia begins to unravel—crops fail, fevers spread, and tensions rise between American managers and Brazilian workers—Joanna and Rafael are drawn into a forbidden romance that challenges the rigid rules of class, culture, and corporate control. When unrest and revolution threaten everything around them, they must decide what they are willing to risk for truth, survival, and love.

With Caroline Hewitt’s immersive narration guiding listeners through the sights, sounds, and dangers of the Amazon, Jungle of Ashes becomes an unforgettable listening experience. Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, this powerful novel explores the cost of empire, the clash of cultures, and the enduring strength of the human heart.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Coming Of Age, Romance

Audible Audio

Published May 19, 2026

About the author

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Brynn Barineau graduated from American University with a bachelor’s in international studies and master’s in international communication. She moved to her husband’s native Rio de Janeiro after college with too many sweaters and not enough Portuguese and began writing as a way to process life in a new country. Her fiction is rooted in the power and possibilities of relationships across cultures. She’s now back in Atlanta rediscovering her hometown with her Brazilian-American family.

If she's not writing, Brynn is probably out walking her rescue dogs to the coffee shop to have a third morning coffee and chocolate croissant.

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

JUNGLE OF ASHES
By Brynn Barineau
Narrated by Caroline Hewitt

A historical novel centered on Henry Ford’s ambitious but ultimately failed 1928 Fordlândia project, where he attempted to cultivate rubber in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil.

Seventeen-year-old Joanna is uprooted from Michigan to the jungles of Brazil when her father is sent there to oversee the project. Through her eyes, we see the clash of cultures, the collapse of Fordlandia, and the human cost of ambition—along with a forbidden love that forces her to question everything she believed.

I didn’t know anything about Ford’s attempt to grow rubber in the Amazon. The Ford Company didn’t fail—so how did this project fail? That alone pulled me in.

I was a bit apprehensive at first since I hadn’t heard of the book or the author, but the summary and cover drew me in—and I’m so glad I paired the book with the audio. It made for the perfect experience.

The writing is straightforward, and the jungle setting—with its ominous undertone—was easy to envision and completely immersive from beginning to end. When an author can transport me to another time and place and make me feel like I’m right there, I know I’m in for a good read.

The narration by Caroline Hewitt was excellent and truly captured the tone and emotion of the story. A perfect companion to the eARC.

Thank you to History Through Fiction for the ARC and NetGalley for the ALC.

[AthenaReads1989 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying the narrator, Carolyn Hewitt, did a fantastic job with multiple voices let alone multiple genders and multiple nationalities. This story kept me interested the entire time, the FMC, while naive, is one that you want to succeed. You appreciate her growth as she navigates a whole new world and realizes her privilege, her father isn’t flawless, and she can overcome impossible odds. This fictional story was based on true events, making it easy to engage with as you want to know and learn more about this time in history. I received a complimentary copy of this book from History Through Fiction via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

[Lisa Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for getting an advanced audiobook. It was very well written, kept my attention and did not hold back. I was very impressed with the storyline and loved hearing the story from two points of view. Forbidden romance, 1920s theme, what happens when you put an American in the middle of nowhere? I throughly enjoyed this novel. Thank you to the author and again NetGalley!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐

I fell in love with this story immediately. It is a captivating piece of historical fiction, a little known part of history and a coming-of-age love story between two young adults from vastly different cultures. This book captures the dichotomy between man vs nature, youth vs experience, greed vs pride, workers vs management, and family loyalty vs job commitment.

In the late 1920s Henry Ford had a plan to manufacture rubber for car tires from the rubber trees in the Amazon forest. He also planned to build an entire American style city in Brazil, including roads, schools, stores, cinema, pool, and golf course. This dream of a utopian place in the jungle was named Fordlandia. Being from Michigan, and as a granddaughter, daughter, sister and wife of car company employees, including the Ford Motor Company, this was extremely fascinating to me.

The main character, Joanna, is a young girl in 1929, ready to start teachers' college at the University of Michigan, when her father was promoted to assistant manager at Henry Ford's newest endeavor and the family moves to Brazil. Jo soon meets a young ambitious Brazilian, Rafael, who has plans of his own to become a part of Fordlandia and help bring his family out of poverty. These two young people are drawn together while at the same time their circumstances are forcing them apart.

Just like the Amazon rainforest, the suspense of this story creeps up on you. I felt the excitement of the endless possibilities facing all the characters, but also the agony of defeat at every turn. It was gripping to watch these characters dreams shatter like fine China dropped from slippery fingers. What happens to Fordlandia? What will happen to Joanna and Rafael?

If you're a fan of historical fiction, you will definitely want to add this book to your TBR list.

My sincere thanks to the author and the publisher, History Through Fiction, for the ARC of this compelling story. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to 5

I don't read too much historical fiction so this was a little outside of my comfort zone but I was immediately drawn to the cover and synopsis.

I had no clue before reading this that Fordlandia actually existed. In fact after reading about it in this story I was so fascinated that I started googling the actual location.

This isn't just a story about a time in history where America sought to impose itself onto another county for personal gain. This particular story also highlights the power of ambition, resistance and love. I am a sucker for forbidden romance and my heart truly broke for the two lovers. I couldn't have cared less if Fordlandia succeeded but I rooted for them with my entire being.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been waiting months for this to come out and thankful hoopla had it available! I have been in the mood to read more related to the Amazon, so that is how it came up on my radar, and then I was also very intrigued because it was about Henry Ford. My grandfather retired from Ford, so my family has always had a special spot for them in our hearts, though the book shows us a darker side that no one speaks about. I did not read too much into the book description, so I guess I thought it was going to be nonfiction for some reason, but it was historical fiction, which is more than fine, I just need to read book descriptions more, so I know this going in and am more prepared for the sequence of events. I loved the botany aspect, that was my favorite thing about the book. I usually love romance, but for some reason, that was the flaw for me. I also loved all the times nature showed itself. That's all I'll say without giving anything away.

[Aamazingreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Amazon always takes back what’s hers.”

A mechanic MMC and a brave FMC have a chance meeting in the amazon; they team up to face challenges and improve the lives of those they love.

The story features trailblazers who make huge sacrifices, sometimes with difficult consequences, to follow their dreams.

This is a beautiful and thought-provoking coming of age story about community, racism, sexism, survival, and resilience.

Caroline Hewitt provides strong narration and an enjoyable listening experience, by portraying various ages, people and emotions well.

Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau
Historical fiction, Coming of age, Clean romance.
Audiobook duration ~ 12 hours
Story/narration 4.25 ⭐️

Thank you to Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks and NetGalley for this gifted ALC; all opinions are my own.

[Jackie Van Hoewyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book! A beautiful and lush portrayal of a setting and time that was unknown to me. I was immediately reminded of The Poisonwood Bible with the themes of family/parents and children in a new world and how they each deal with it. What struck me most were the astute observations about men and fathers—Joana and Rafael’s dads are both products of their time and place but remained sympathetic. Of course for me the historical part is the backdrop and inside it sits a love story and a coming of age story. Amazingly crafted and deep. And I loved the ending, epilogue and author’s note!!

[Erin Kingland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy courtesy of NetGalley
I LOVED this WAY more than I was expecting to. I am always thrilled to get a historical fiction find about an area of time or place that hasn’t been many times before. So many amazing plot points and characters. So well written. Satisfying ending without being totally predictable. LOVED on so many levels.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

This book didn’t have me at the edge of my seat but it was still a solid read. I do enjoy reading about corporate history and this was a bit of history that I had never paid attention to before, but will stick me.

For fans of Historical fiction and corporate history this is definitely worth the read. Intriguing setting and enjoyed going along with Joanna’s journey.

[Mary Beth M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to get early access to this book. I really enjoyed Brynn’s first book and this one did not disappoint. The Amazon forest setting is so lush and vivid and I absolutely loved Jo and Rafa’s characters. They’re both so young and full of hope at the start and then forced to grow up and experience the realities of life around them. The ending was not the one I wanted but it was definitely the one that was needed and I’m so glad that Jo got to live out her dreams. I learned a lot about the Fordlandia project while I was reading this too and I really enjoyed the experience

[Jennifer D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jungle of Ashes
By Brynn Barineau
Historical Fiction
ARC from History Through Fiction

It is the Henry Ford era and he has decided to build a town in the Amazon to harvest rubber trees for his company. Michigan teenager, Joanna, is excited when her father takes a job at this location as a manager. When she finally arrives in the Amazon with her parents, Joanna makes friends and learns valuable life lessons.

My rating: 5⭐️
I really enjoyed this story! I had never heard about Fordlândia or rubber trees, so learning about this endeavor took me on a mental journey I was not expecting. It was a pleasant surprise!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an interesting event in history! I enjoy historical fiction novels based on facts and real people and this book did not disappoint. The story centers around Joanna Rogge, the daughter of one of the developers of Fordlandia, an experimental community built during the 1920s in the Brazilian rainforest by Henry Ford with the purpose of growing rubber for his auto empire. Of course, the author embellished the story with a romance between Joanna and a young Brazilian mechanic but the romance wasn’t the main focus.
I had never heard of Fordlandia so this historical location was fascinating to me. I really liked that Joanna was interested in botany and presented as a very strong woman for her time. The ways in which the Brazilian workers and their families were mistreated was appalling. Another example of “ugly Americans”. I looked up facts about Fordlandia and the book stayed true to them for the most part. A very enjoyable and interesting read!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jungle of Ashes is an excellent historical fiction story filles with adventure. It is set in the late 1920's and 1930's in a time when Henry Ford was trying to make a name for himself and grow his company in the Brazilian rainforest. I really enjoyed this story because it showed how difficult life could be and some of the dangerous demographics in the area. Overall if this sounds like a adventure you would enjoy you should go for it.

We are introduced to Joann who is from Michigan and when her father is appointed to manage the Amazonian plant she thinks that this will be the step of getting away from her stuffy American life. However, little does she know that there are dangers that lurk around every corner. One wrong move and she could find herself in trouble or worse losing her life.

[Samantha Seay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an eye-opening read. I had never heard of the Fordlândia project before picking up this book, so it was not only deeply entertaining but incredibly educational as well. The story paints a fascinating and tragic picture of ambition unchecked by empathy. It never ceases to amaze me how greed and obsession with control can cause a man to completely overlook the humanity of the people working under him. What unfolded in Fordlândia was as compelling as it was heartbreaking — a stark reminder of the consequences of imposing power and ideology without understanding the lives of others.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredible story! Utterly fascinating historical fiction, presented seamlessly without info-dumping or paragraphs of character exposition. Intermittent messages (telegraphs?) between the Fordlandia and Dearborn Ford offices are a clever and concise way to keep us up to speed on the big picture while ground-level human stories progress.

Some of Barineau's strongest writing (in my opinion) is in the action sequences, whether that's the midpoint drama, the gripping (yes, I am really, non-ironically using that word in a review) climax, or even just the anxiety of a character having no choice but to silently witness big shots make really dumb decisions really quickly.

The characters are standouts, too, even the supporting characters, and especially the mothers and siblings, which made a mid-point reality-based event particularly hard to bear. Joanna and Rafe were each wonderful characters who I would have loved to follow even on their own, though of course having both points of view--American and Brazilian--opened up Fordlandia to us. I especially appreciated Jo's mother, who seems like a stick in the mud at first. Her personality actually doesn't change, but Jo's understanding, perspective, and ultimate appreciation of her mother's personality do. There's a bit less nuance for her dad, but it's refreshing that there really aren't any obvious villains doing bad because they like it. These rich Americans genuinely thought they were doing something amazing and that it would just happen, and happen right, right away.

With all that said, I do wish the romance between Joanna and Rafa had a little more time for slow moments. There was a point in the book that just stated that they enjoyed talking about their respective homes, and while I totally understand not wanting to bog down the narrative, I do wish we could have "listened in" on one or two of those conversations that aren't directly related to the plot. But I also understand why an author/editor wouldn't want to slow down the pace with irrelevant details, so... That said, the realistic way their romance ended actually boosted the whole book for me at the last minute. The types of teenage together-forever assumptions that are so often treated seriously even in adult characters, in this book, are actually teenage feelings and interactions that help Jo and Rafe grow as characters. Even if that ultimately means growing apart, they still have fulfilling lives that did not orbit around their time in Fordlandia forever. No less real, but not the end game. In the new light of their final separation and later lives, I could appreciate their time together as teenagers--so, pretty much the whole book got a re-view.

Despite a few things that didn't work for me personally, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers of historical fiction who are especially into the history. Barineau captures the time and place incredibly well, at least as far as I can tell. When I looked up images of Fordlandia after finishing the book, the images in my head lined up with reality more closely than usual.

Quote Roundup

p. 26-27) " I simply prefer to assume that the worst will happen, so that I'm prepared to deal with the consequences if it does." The confession took Joanna aback. She'd done the same thing for the past months. It hadn't occurred to her that her mother would have a similar means of coping.
I loved that Joanna had this insight so early on, and that it opened up the way for Joanna's mother to not be either a total opposition or a (completely) surprise softie at the end.


p. 111) "Have you seen a botanist at Fordlandia? ... I've met doctors, engineers, architects, one accountant. But never a botanist. Not a horticulturalist. Not even a farmer."
... "Nossa senhora," Rafa muttered. "They started a farm without a farmer."

p. 168) This part was so awful that I knew there was no way it was made up. Brace yourself for parental tragedy. Here's the update I wrote when I read this part at 45% of the way through:
Oof. Content warning for anyone who is sleep deprived or hormonal or otherwise less emotionally steady than usual: a bit less than halfway through the book, a 7-months pregnant mother of four loses three of her children to fever in one night. The oldest child is Joanna's best American friend, and we know and love her two younger siblings as well. Not sure about the mother/baby yet.
She lost the baby as well.


p. 176) Rafa looked at her in surprise. "In eighteen years, you've never been to a funeral?"
I'm with Rafa on this one--this was actually one of the most unbelievable sentences to me. The lack of childhood vaccines and shorter lifespans would have meant Joanna would have known at least a few people who died, through school, church, and her father's work. My great-grandmother lost two siblings and one of my grandmother's best friends was confined to an iron lung by polio.

p. 236) "Christ, Rafa. Not everyone is against you. ... When did you stop trusting your family?"
"When I was told I'm being cut out of it if I have a mind of my own."
Ana Maria signed. "That's Pai. I never said that. Mae never said that. Aunt Sarah never said that, but you don't talk to any of us. You're never home. We miss you."
As with Joanna's mom early on, I think so many writers would, indeed, have set the whole family in opposition to Rafa. That Barineau did not is refreshing and lovely.

p. 279) While I did expect this confrontation between Joanna and her mother to happen, with Jo finally realizing that her mother does not hate her and everything she does, I love the way it plays out, with the heart-to-heart interrupted until later.

p. 347) "A plane!" someone shouted. Every head turned toward the river. A biplane soared low over the treetops directly toward them. Men lowered their weapons to stare in wonder at one of man's awesome creations. For most, it was the first plane they'd ever seen.
A quiet and profound moment in the middle of a VERY tense climax. I appreciated the tap on the brake and the reminder of the time period.

p. 361) Guilt cut off the rest of her words. Maybe there was something wrong with her. Every story said true love was supposed to win out over everything else. People gave their lives for it and she was walking away. What did that mean? Did it mean she didn't truly love Rafa? Was she too selfish to have true love?
A voice from deep inside answered back with a resounding no. She was not broken. The flaw lay in the assumption that there was only one person for her to love or only one way to love. Choosing to say goodbye didn't make her love less true, only a different kind. Some loves were like a tidal wave that swept away everything in its path. Others were raindrops that trailed gently down a leaf, leaving a shine to catch the sun. Her love for Rafa was like the Amazon, vast, powerful, and with an end.
This is the part that made me reevaluate the romance throughout the entire book. I wish there were more stories that implied something like this, so that girls and women would have a better chance of understanding that there's more than one way to love, that not everyone has one true love. But it resonated especially with me. As I've mentioned in past reviews, I'm some kind of asexual/demisexual. (I've given up trying to define it--I'm happy with my relationship.) I felt broken for so much of my young life and desperately needed to hear something like this. It took me years and years and AVEN's page on the gray area to reach the point Jo does here. Maybe if a few more books had their heroines end up some way other than with their true love or perpetually pining for them, I wouldn't have felt as alone. But that's neither here nor there. Point is, I enjoyed reading an upmarket women's fiction book with a teen character who was not going to end up either running away with or pining for her love interest for the rest of her life. Kudos for something different done well.


Whew. It's about dang time I got this posted! Happy reading!

[Aster Carlyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a particular kind of historical fiction that doesn’t just transport you to another time - it makes you feel the weight of it pressing down on people who never asked to carry it. Jungle of Ashes is that kind of book. I knew it would be one of my top reads of 2026 before I'd even reached the halfway point.

What This Book Does Well
The most impressive thing about Jungle of Ashes is how completely it resists turning its themes into a history lecture. Everything it has to say about colonialism, corporate greed, and the arrogance of powerful men who believe money can bend the natural world - it sways through its characters. Through the small moments of a 17 year old girl realizing the world she was raised to trust is not the one she's actually living in.

Joanna is a fantastic protagonist. A natural scientist who approaches the world by observing it carefully, she's easy to root for - but Barineau doesn't let her off the hook. Jo arrives in the Amazon with her own blind spots, and watching those get dismantled slowly and painfully is one of the book's great pleasures. Her awakening feels gradual and honest rather than dramatic, which is exactly right for both her again and the time period.

Rafa is her perfect counterpart - ridiculously perceptive, quietly ambitious, and carrying the weight of promises that Ford's men are making impossible to keep. He could easily become a symbol rather than a full person, but the care Barineau brings to him, his family dynamics, and the specific texture of his disillusionment keeps him grounded throughout.

The relationship is built on intellectual respect and a shared commitment to honesty in an environment where truth is actively dangerous. The tension comes from two young people who see each other clearly and are a little terrified of what that means. Every scene between them deepens their relationship while simultaneously illuminating the world they're trapped in.
And then there's the historical reality underneath it all. Fordland is real. The hubris, the failures, the human cost - all of it happened, and Barineau handles that weight with remarkable care.

Where It May Fall Short
The thematic commentary is sharp and well-integrated, but some threads tip into repetition in places I didn't think necessary. Some of the Ford Company men are a little thinly drawn, though within the context of the story I'd argue that's intentional.

Audiobook Experience
Caroline Hewitt’s narration is excellent! She brings real emotional intelligence to both perspectives and manages the tonal shifts without overplaying. The confidence and care she brings to the Portuguese felt respectful of the material and never pulled me out of the story.

Who I Would Recommend This To
If you love historical, slow-burn romance with genuine emotional and intellectual substance, or if you’re drawn to stories that critique systems of power through deeply human relationships - you need to read this!!!

Final Thoughts & Opinions
I went into Jungle of Ashes knowing nothing about Fordlandia, and I made the deliberate choice to keep it that way until I’d finished. That decision wrecked me in the best way! There’s something uniquely gutting about getting to the end of a story - falling completely in love with it, with these people and the world that Barineau built - and then going to look it up and realizing how much of the horrors of it were real. The tragedies that happen throughout the book aren’t tossed in for dramatic effect, they really happened! And that realization somehow didn’t make the book feel bleaker, it just made it feel more important.

Raja and Jo truly swept me off my feet from their very first interaction which was hilarious and completely charged so I knew I was done for.

As someone who comes from a science background, I absolutely adored Jo, but I can already see some people thinking her flat or detached. She’s not the kind of heroine who is always leading with her emotions, but for me, that was exactly right! She’s a girl raised to be curious and analytical, who believes in reason and observation, slowly discovering that the world she applied those tools to was never going to give her the full picture when greed and exploitation are in the mix. Watching her reckon with that, while also falling for a boy who sees the truth she’s only beginning to see is delightfully devastating.

I already know that Jungle of Ashes is going to be in my top reads for 2026! The official release date is May 19th 2026 and I have already placed my pre-order so I can read it all over again!!

My thanks to NetGalley, History Through Fiction & Brynn Barineau for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

TL;DR: I'm begging you to read this book!!!!

Star Rating Breakdown
Personal Enjoyment: 5
Overall Execution: 5
Craft & Writing Quality: 5
Characters: 4.75
Plot: 5
Final Score: 4.95

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry Ford was building something no one had ever attempted before, an industrialized town in the Amazon. The Ford Company needed rubber to make tires. British explorer/botanist Henry Wickham had pilfered the precious hevea seeds that once were readily available in Santarem. By acquiring over 2 million acres of land from the Brazilian government, Ford planned to produce the rubber trees he needed.

John Rogge was a Ford man. He had worked his way up from lumberjack to his current position as manager of the largest mill in the Upper Peninsula. He spoke of Ford’s generosity-pioneering the five-dollar work day. Rogge had pride in the company's efficiency and production. He was chosen by Ford to be assistant manager of the venture in the Amazon. “No man in history had been able to harness the Amazon’s potential. But that’s what Henry Ford does, what no man ever has.” After one year in Fordlandia, Rogge’s wife and daughter joined him.

Joanna Rogge, 17 years old, couldn’t contain her excitement. “She wanted to see the meeting of the waters in Santarem. “...the dark emerald waters of the Tapajos flowed in from the west toward the clay colored waters of the Amazon…form(ing) an undulating line that stretched into the horizon…she dipped a flask first into the Amazon…a second into the Tapajos. She nestled the souvenirs in her satchel next to her journal.”

Along the riverbank, the air was heavy and thick. It was difficult to breathe. To reach the American homes at the top of the bluff, they had to walk past hundreds of open huts with hammocks lining the riverbank. The housing improved as they progressed uphill…She remembered walking past scorched trees and men lined up for work.

Set upon exploring the Amazon forest, Joanna left the five acre sector, home to the American staff. Venturing out in the darkness, without a flashlight and unaware of the danger of snakes, she was saved by Rafael. “Even one day was enough to learn that her father hadn’t been totally honest..about their progress…clearly ignorance could get a person killed here”. Rafael made sure she was safe. To Rafael, she seemed sincere but stubborn, assuming and prying with all of her questions. She even offered to help fix the stalled Ford car. He must avoid her. Time spent with her could be a danger to his family.

Rafael, presently a worker in the machine shop, was a trained mechanic. He was fixing the suspension on a vehicle needed for an American tour when he helped Joanna that night. He had dreams of building a better suspension to handle the rough and puddle filled roads, more efficient cooling systems and a hydraulic-power lift to see under cars. “The ideas came to life in the pages of (his) sketchbook…He told no one he could see things which didn’t exist…certainly not the Ford engineers with degrees and years of training on Ford factory floors.”.

As it so happened, Joanna was determined to learn Portuguese. Rafael would fill the role of teacher after his work hours. She told Rafa of her dream to study Botany. It seemed that the rubber trees were sick trees, drooping with nearly naked branches. This was not how young hevea should look. If (Rafa) crossed the threshold, Joanna would be part of his life as long as they were both at Fordlandia. They took the leap. He would take her further into the forest to find hevea specimens to study. “If her father wasn’t going to tell her the whole truth, she would use her new freedom to learn for herself how Fordlandia had gotten to this state and what, if anything, she could do to help…”

Rafa would have liked to tell John Rogge and other higher ups that they had no idea how to run Fordlandia, how a disregard for expert advice on planting rubber trees led to leaf fungus. When Joanna discussed her discoveries, her journal was tossed in the river.

To bend workers to his will, Henry Ford insisted upon strict policies including a ban on alcohol, required Saturday night square dancing and unfamiliar dietary changes. A sanitation squad visited worker homes looking for infractions.” Standardization was foundational doctrine for the Ford company.” Tensions would rise. The self -serving nature of Henry Ford would cause the disastrous demise of Fordlandia. The importance of being open to suggestions, by experts as well as employees, might have resulted in a different outcome. Treating workers the way you expect to be treated…often increases productivity.

A stellar read…Highly recommended!

Thank you Brynn Barineau and Colin Mustful@ History Through Fiction for the Print ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[N.J. Mastro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jungle of Ashes is the story of Joanna Rogge and Rafael Caetano, two idealistic, passionate individuals on a crash course with reality in one of the twentieth centuries most ambitious industrial projects. In 1928 Henry Ford bought thousands of acres in Brazil. The man who had mastered the art of the assembly line and demanded cost efficiency and precision in everything associated with his name intended to produce his own rubber. He called it Fordlandia. The only thing standing in his way was the Amazon Jungle.

I highly recommend this fictional tale of what really happened at Fordlandia nearly a century ago. As the story opens, Joanna Rogge, a naturally curious, aspiring 17-year-old from Iron Mountain, Michigan, with a love for botany arrives in Brazil with her family. Her father has just been hired as the assistant manager of Fordlandia Plantation.

Very soon she meets Rafael Caetano, an ambitious young mechanic who is working as a machinist at Fordlandia. By nature, Rafael, or Rafa, as he is also called, has the mind of an engineer. While Jo has notebooks full of drawings of plants, he has notebooks full of inventive ideas. A love story unfolds between them as he begins teaching her Portuguese, the official language of Brazil.

The novel is not a romance, however. This is a story of humans versus nature. Jo and Rafa can see Fordlandia is a disaster. The jungle is a mighty foe. No one can tame it, not even Henry Ford’s men, who are convinced man can conquer anything if they try hard enough.

However, tied to Fordlandia’s success is the success of their families, so Jo and Rafa try to find solutions: she studies why the rubber trees are dying; he tries to show men ways to use machines to tame a harsh environment. Ford’s men discount them, she because she is a woman, he because he is a native Brazilian.

Jo and Rafa are interesting choices as main characters. They’re fictional, but their fathers were real men affiliated with the project. Barineau did her homework and brought a wealth of other interesting factual elements into the story, making Jungle of Ashes a superb example of how historical fiction can entertain readers as well as bring forth important, and this case, forgotten stories from the past.

Nor do we only read about Jo and Rafa. Barineau weaves in the stories of their families and of other “Ford families.” The impact of the project on the Rogges and Caetano families is what brings the story to life and makes it so riveting. Like the classic rich man who expects the world to bow to him, Ford is a stern task master, an off-page character who sends dictates from afar.

What I found most compelling about the novel is how the author frames Henry Ford’s initiative by giving each Jo and Rafa a narrative voice. This allows for the American and the Brazilian point of view. Some might think of Fordlandia as an example of American ingenuity in the early part of the twentieth century. America was between world wars, and her influence was spreading across the globe. Others will see Fordlandia as an extreme example of hubris, a form of industrial colonialism. Because Barineau has spent time in Brazil and has ties to the culture, she is clear eyed in presenting both sides. This results in a well-rounded, believable story. She also knows the jungle, which she describes in vivid detail. The story is fast paced, drawing readers into a harsh and relentless environment where even men like Henry Ford are powerless against nature. Five stars for sure!

Thank you to the publisher for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Stacy Keene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau is an engaging and thoughtful work of historical fiction set against the fascinating and troubling history of Fordlandia, the ambitious Amazonian rubber plantation founded by Henry Ford in 1928. Blending romance, political tension, and historical insight, the novel explores what happens when unchecked corporate power collides with culture, environment, and human dignity.

At the center of the story is Joanna Rogge, a wonderful female main character who grows tremendously over the course of the novel. When she moves from Michigan to the Amazon after her father accepts a management position with the Ford Company, Joanna initially sees the experience as an opportunity to escape the narrow expectations placed on women in American society. Watching her evolve from a curious outsider into a young woman who learns to question authority and stand up for what she believes in is deeply satisfying. She becomes the kind of protagonist you cannot help but cheer for as she finds her voice and independence.

The novel also shines in the way it examines larger social themes. Through Joanna’s experiences, the story explores workers rights, women’s rights, and indigenous rights with nuance and care. Joanna gradually becomes aware of class consciousness as well as the unconscious bias and prejudice that shape the world around her. The book does an excellent job portraying how sexism, racism, and class divisions influence life in the company town. These realizations feel organic to her growth and add meaningful depth to the narrative.

The romance between Joanna and Rafael Caetano is another highlight. Their relationship develops naturally and never overwhelms the story. Instead, it complements Joanna’s personal journey. The novel maintains a healthy balance between falling in love and prioritizing one’s own dreams and principles. Their connection reflects the author’s description of the book as a story about “unchecked power through the eyes of star crossed lovers,” which feels like a perfect way to capture the emotional heart of the novel.

The historical setting is particularly compelling. I found it fascinating to learn about the real history of Fordlandia and how Henry Ford attempted to impose American ideals and industrial order on the Brazilian rainforest. The novel highlights just how out of touch Ford was with the realities of the land and the people who lived there. His letters to managers and his rigid vision reveal a striking lack of cultural understanding. This arrogance ultimately contributed to the failure of the entire project. The story thoughtfully examines the broader damage caused by colonial mindsets and ideas similar to Manifest Destiny while still presenting the history in an accessible and compelling way.

Barineau’s writing is descriptive and immersive, especially when portraying the lush jungle landscape. The environment feels vivid and alive throughout the story. The pacing is steady and engaging, with just enough tension and excitement to keep the pages turning without overwhelming the emotional and historical depth.

Perhaps what stayed with me most was how inspiring the story felt by the end. Joanna’s journey toward independence and moral clarity is powerful, and the conclusion was surprisingly moving. I found myself crying tears of joy as the story wrapped up and honestly did not want to say goodbye to the characters.

Overall, Jungle of Ashes is an informative, well paced historical novel that thoughtfully explores power, culture, and personal conviction. Readers who enjoy character driven historical fiction with meaningful themes will find a lot to appreciate here.

Four stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to NetGalley, History Through Fiction, and the author for this ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating and immersive 5-star historical fiction story.

The author describes this book as “unchecked power through the eyes of star-crossed lovers” and a kind of “Stepford in the jungle” scenario.

Most definitely!

I read with disbelief at how out of touch Henry Ford, the richest person in the world at that time, was with reality. His correspondence with the managers of Fordlandia showed that his lack of boots on the ground experience and his unwillingness to consider the culture and the land led to the downfall of his endeavor.

My favourite character was Joanna ‘Jo’ Rogge because I saw a lot of myself (and a lot of who I’d love to be) in her personality. Joanna was the daughter of the assistant manager in Fordlandia and she had an infectious curiosity. I read in awe of how she continually faced the unknown and pushed past the barriers of her discomfort. This personality was in such stark contrast to so many of the adults in her community. Where Joanna appreciated and celebrated the uniqueness of her surroundings, they pigheadedly shaped their surroundings to what made them comfortable and what they were used to back at home.

Another aspect of this story I enjoyed was the multilayered fear. Not only were the locals speaking a different language, but they looked differently, ate different foods, and valued things differently. The transplants to Fordlandia were fearful of people who were different. The choices that had to be made invoked fear. What if Mr Ford discovered that things weren’t progressing as planned? What if the locals went to the island and came back with alcohol? For many of the characters, ignorance was bliss and a choice was made to do nothing. The head-in-the-sand approach to fear is still prevalent today! The employees and their families were fearful of the unknown and their environment, so they replicated what made them comfortable, thereby shutting out their opportunity to learn and grow from their experience.

“Nothing had changed at Fordlandia.”

How sad.

I was also frustrated to learn that “after two years at Fordlandia, the man in charge hadn’t learned a thing because he couldn’t admit he needed to.” What a horrible position to be in for anyone, let alone someone representing a huge corporation, one on the cusp of achieving greatness! Piggybacking on this idea is how much we can learn about how to handle disappointment. Author Brynn Barineau explores the responses of people of different ages, genders, socioeconomic statuses, and cultures and links these to the success they achieved in Fordlandia. While Mr. Rogge’s response and growth was in bold, that of the mother-daughter relationship was in a smaller font, so to speak, but the pivot to embrace change and face disappointments before bitterness set in led to their bond being strengthened and gleaning more from their two years abroad.

“Fordlandia was a graveyard for the best laid plans.”

I think the thing that will stay with me the longest is the value of curiosity. Joanaa showed readers how enriched her life became because she embraced differences and pushed past fear to learn everything she could from this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Those who didn’t, returned home having gained little from their time in the Amazon.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I loved the cover. Its simplicity gave way to the richness of the book once I finished reading. I noticed the play between the industry and nature and discovered the symbols of Joana’s quest!

I absolutely loved this book and am so grateful that History Through Fiction reached out with an ARC and an invitation to the Zoom meeting with the author.

WORTHY OF ALL THE STARS! Historical fiction lovers, you NEED this one on your TBR.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was playing a brain game on my phone one day and a passage I read mentioned Henry Ford trying to build an American town in the Amazon called Fordlandia. I had never heard this piece of history but thought it was interesting. When I read the description for this book, I thought it would be a great way to learn about it. It’s historical fiction and romance, but Fordlandia and the events that happened there are real.

In 1928, American titan Henry Ford set out to conquer the Brazilian rainforest. Tired of paying expensive prices and taxes imposed by the British, he was determined to grow his own rubber trees for tires. He bought over 2.5 million acres of land in the Amazon rainforest with the dream of creating an “American” factory town within. The result was Fordlandia, a failed experiment created by wealth, American arrogance, and greed.

John Rogge was a “Ford” man. He had worked his way up from lumberjack to his current position as manager. He loved Ford and had pride in the company's efficiency and production. He was chosen by Ford to be assistant manager of the venture in the Amazon. After some time, Ford believed that for the mission to be successful, he would need to set up the town like it is in America, with the same amenities and even a golf course. He required the workers and their families to move there.

Rogge’s 17-year-old daughter, Joanna, is idealistic and has a love for botany when she arrives in Brazil with her family. She meets Rafael Caetano one night when she goes out venturing into the rainforest. Oblivious to the dangers lurking there, he saves her from harm. He is an ambitious young mechanic who is working as a machinist at Fordlandia. Rafael (Rafa) has the mind of an engineer. Despite their cultures, they fall in love.

She quickly learns that her father has been lying about the progress and realities of the place and begins to learn what it truly means to be a "Ford man." She sees the difference between how the Americans are living versus the natives. Conditions in Fordlandia continue to deteriorate.

Joanna begins to explore and learn about the forest. She believes she’s discovered what the problem might be, but due to arrogance as ignorance, her father nor any of the others will listen to the advice that she, Rafa, or the locals give and disregards them.

Not surprisingly, behind the promise of progress, jobs, and economic growth, lies colonization, cultural conflict, and ecological disaster. The book shows how the workers were exploited, controlled, and disposable. Eventually, the people are tired of the mistreatment, and tensions between management and labor begin to escalate. When political revolution happens, Joanna and Rafa have to choose: is there a safe place where they can stay together and live out their dream of becoming a botanist and engineer?

Thanks NetGalley for the ALC in return for my review.

[MoonlightCupOfCocoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to History Through Fiction and Netgalley for the advance review copy! All opinions are 100% my own.

Jungle of Ashes by Brynn Barineau is a captivating story that I think everyone should read. Just go. You don't need to read this review. You will not regret it. But if you're still here and are looking for a review, allow me to explain.

Joanna, the only daughter of a Ford Company manager, moves with her parents to Fordlandia, Henry Ford's utopian city built in the middle of the rainforest to harvest rubber trees. But, when she arrives there, she suddenly realizes that perhaps that conditions weren't as her father and the other Ford men had led them to believe. Not only was the project not making as much as progress as they were claiming but conditions that the native Brazilian workers were experiencing were a far cry from Henry Ford's claims of workplace improvements back home. Her friendship, and subsequent romantic relationship, with the young Rafa, a skilled mechanic, not only opens her eyes to the injustices they were both facing in Fordlandia, but also about their true selves and their families.

Before you roll your eyes thinking this is just a regular love story, no, it is not. This is a deeply moving and well-researched story about far more than Joanna and Rafa. This is a story about nature and our shortcomings as humans. About true and found family. About making tough decisions and not giving up on one's dreams. And much more than what I can capture in words.

And best of all, this is a story based on real-life events and real figures. And, while, yes, it features young adults as the protagonists, I was delighted to read realistic teens that, yes, make mistakes, but aren't shallow or self-centered just because of their age. This is a book that both adults and young adults would enjoy, because it's expertly crafted and delivered. I was surprised to find out this is the author's debut novel. Wow!!

This was a triumph. One of the first 5-star reads I read in a long while. If you're a lover of history and are looking for a realistic book about real-life events that will leave you both better educated but, also, deeply touched and moved, you need to read this.

As for the audiobook, the narrator Caroline Hewitt, did a fantastic job capturing everyone's personality, mannerisms, accents and emotions. She truly shined in the more dramatic scenes. The pacing was great and made the audiobook a great way to experience the story.

You can also find me on: Instagram (MoonlightCocoa) and Instagram (MoonlightCupOfStories)

[Ashley | thewindedbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jungle of Ashes was an absolute surprise, and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to experience this story before its release.

Set in the jungles of Brazil in 1928, this historical romance follows the ambitious — and largely forgotten — story of Fordlandia, Henry Ford’s audacious attempt to grow and manufacture his own rubber trees deep in the Amazon. When Joann’s father lands the promotion that sends him to oversee this operation, Joann soon follows — uprooted from the life she knew and dropped into a world unlike anything she’s ever encountered. It’s here that she comes of age, finds herself, and discovers what it means to love.

I’ll be honest: this book reads very much like young adult fiction, but that is not a bad thing. Joann is eighteen and on the cusp of college when she’s pulled away to join her father. She’s naive, innocent, and wholly sheltered — but she’s also brave, independent, and genuinely kind. Those qualities don’t cancel each other out; they make her feel real and worth rooting for.

Rafael Caetano is the other heart of this story. He brings a selfless, quiet love for his family and, through Joann’s eyes, discovers what he’s truly capable of. The growth between these two characters is beautifully rendered. Barineau strikes a wonderful balance between lightness and tenderness, never shying away from the darker threads of the story — and the result is a novel with real, lasting heart.

What struck me most about the romance between Joann and Rafael was how it illuminated the gap in their circumstances. What came easily to Joann — opportunity, access, privilege — was not so easily available to Rafael or the Brazilians around them. That contrast gives the love story weight and meaning beyond simple sweetness, and it made the ending hit even harder. I won’t say more than that, except that it genuinely tugged at my heartstrings and left me lingering in this world a little longer than I expected.

I also have to say: I had no idea that Ford attempted to grow his own rubber trees, or that Fordlandia even existed. That alone made this novel feel like a gift. Historical fiction at its best teaches you something you didn’t know you needed to know — and Jungle of Ashes does exactly that.

I loved Joann’s strength and courage. I loved Rafael’s unwavering loyalty. And I loved the way Barineau held both light and shadow in the same hand without letting either overwhelm the other.

If you love historical fiction, a sweet and innocent romance, and stories about families who stand by their own — this book is going to find a place in your heart.
4.5 ⭐️

I received an Advance Listener Copy (ALC) from History Through Fiction and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Alvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place in a region deep within the Amazon rainforest called Fordlandia. It was envisioned as a town, covering around 14,000 square kilometers, inhabited by thousands of Brazilian workers and led by American executives. Initiated by Henry Ford, the founder of the famous automobile company, Fordlandia was meant to bring “civilization” to the Amazon and become a major hub for rubber production. After all, where better to grow rubber than in the rainforest itself?

Unfortunately, the first crops failed. In an effort to boost morale among the Americans living there, many wives and children were brought over from the United States to reunite with their families.

This is where the story begins, with an 18 year old girl named Joanna, who is incredibly excited to travel to the Amazon. She has a deep love for nature and research, and her curiosity eventually leads her to meet Rafael, a young Brazilian man working as a technician in Fordlandia.

Through Joanna’s perspective, we see the stark contrast between the lives of the Americans and the local workers. The Americans seem to believe they can conquer the Amazon, yet the forest proves to be untamable. The dangers of the wild and the tragedies that claim the lives of loved ones make Joanna realize that nature follows its own rules.

Throughout the story, a strong sense of romance develops between Joanna and Rafa. Coming from two very different worlds, they understand that they cannot openly express their feelings. Their meetings happen in secret, fueled by a quiet hope that somehow, they might still find a happy ending together.

But will Fordlandia allow their love to truly blossom?

Joanna, as the main character, is intelligent and full of curiosity. She is confident in expressing her opinions and isn’t afraid to criticize when something doesn’t sit right with her. Still, she does so with grace and respect, never carelessly or rudely.

When I first started reading this book, I didn’t realize that Fordlandia was actually a real place. Located along the Tapajós River, it was originally intended to become a small American-style town. Its development focused heavily on facilities for American residents, including hospitals, railways, and even tennis courts. Some of the characters in the story are based on real people, and several of the tragedies depicted actually happened.

Overall, this book is a great choice for readers who enjoy romance mixed with cultural and historical elements, particularly those interested in Brazil.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to access this book early.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into this book I didn’t even know Fordlandia existed, let alone what a dark past it had.

This novel is set in 1928 in Brazil where Henry Ford has setup a whole compound and factory town in the Amazonian rainforest. The story centers mostly around two POVs…Joanna Rogge, a white middle class 17 year old from Michigan who goes to live with her father in Fortlandia, expecting an adventure. Then there is Rafael Caetano, a young man making the best out of his mechanics position at the plant while trying to make a better life for himself as well as his family.

This can get a little sensitive for some readers but it is history and needs to be told. As often happens when white people take over an area its not always (or usually) good. The Ford managers slowly try to take over the life of the Brazilian workers, from dictating to what they eat, initiating a prohibition on alcohol and paying unfair wages. There is a strong theme of the white savior complex. The Ford officials think their way is the best for everyone and even Joanna, though well meaning, can be naïve in the ways of the world. Tensions between the laborers and ford officials rise culminating to the explosive end.

While this book is mainly about the tragedy of Fordlandia, it covers other themes as well. As it was the late 1920s, women were still not respected for their minds and there were many times where you see the men practice the “be seen and not heard” mentality. The theme of forbidden love and especially intense first love is usually not my favorite, but it was told in such a realistic and heart aching way I appreciated it. We can all remember our first love and can hopefully look at Rafael and Joanna’s story with a smile.

Since I listened to this on Audiobook I did want to take a moment to talk about the narrator Caroline Hewitt whom I thought did a fantastic job. She captured the yearning, sadness, joy and frustration beautifully from all the characters. She was able to capture the Brazilian accent and dialogue in a respectful and believable way. I would be happy to listen to Caroline Hewitt narrate any book.

Lastly I love the way Henry Ford was portrayed as this nameless entity which almost gave it a creepy/borderline cult vibe.

This book was so well researched and told in such a captivating way that all I have left is one more thing to say. If you love historic fiction, I urge you to read this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and History Through Fiction in exchange for an honest review.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)

This is exactly the kind of historical fiction I love—something off the beaten path that teaches me about a part of history I didn’t really know much about.

Jungle of Ashes follows Henry Ford’s attempt to build a rubber empire in the Amazon, and what really stood out to me was the sheer level of ambition—and the hubris behind it. The idea that you can take a system that works in one place and simply recreate it somewhere completely different, without adapting to the environment, culture, or people, is both fascinating and incredibly frustrating to watch unfold.

What made this especially compelling was the dual POV. Through Joanna and Rafael, you get two very different perspectives that highlight the cultural, social, and economic divides at play. I really appreciated how their friendship and connection felt genuine, even if the romance didn’t fully land for me. Their dynamic adds an emotional layer to a story that’s otherwise very focused on the bigger picture.

I also loved the inclusion of telegrams and memos throughout the book—it gave the story a more immersive, almost documentary-like feel that grounded everything in reality. And the afterword was a standout—learning how much of this was rooted in actual events made the story even more impactful.

If I had one critique, I do wish some of the characters had a bit more depth. They’re not flat, but they feel more like lenses into a moment in history rather than fully developed characters. That said, it didn’t take away from my engagement or the overall story. If anything, it fits with what the book is trying to do—this isn’t really a character-driven story, but one focused more on the bigger picture and the ideas it’s exploring.

Audiobook note: I also listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the experience. It’s a single narrator despite the dual POV, but it’s never confusing—you can clearly tell which character’s perspective you’re in. I also appreciated hearing the Brazilian terms and names spoken aloud, which added another layer of immersion without feeling overwhelming.

Overall, this was a really engaging and thought-provoking read. It explores power, control, and the consequences of imposing one way of thinking onto a completely different world—and it does it in a way that feels both historical and still relevant.

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jungle of Ashes pulled me into a historical moment I had never heard of — Fordlandia — and left me stunned by how contemporary it felt. This is one of those rare novels that reminds you that history is never just “the past.” It’s a cycle. A mirror. A pattern of human choices repeating themselves in new forms, shaped by the same shadows and the same light: our fears and desires, our hunger for progress, our longing for justice, and our instinct to protect what is fragile — human, animal, and planetary.

Through Jo and Rafa, Barineau gives us a front‑row seat to the rise and unraveling of Ford’s utopian dream in the Amazon rainforest. Fordlandia — a Ford factory town imposed on the Brazilian jungle — was meant to create a domestic rubber supply for American cars. Instead, it became a collision point between industrial ambition and ecological reality, between American corporate idealism and the lived experiences of Brazilian workers and families.

Jo, seventeen and following her father from Michigan to Brazil, arrives full of hope and curiosity. Rafa, a skilled mechanic with dreams of lifting up his family, sees Fordlandia as a chance to build something better. Through their eyes, we witness the promise, the tension, the cultural conflict, and the slow, painful unraveling of a dream built on exploitation, misunderstanding, and environmental harm.

What impressed me most is how deeply researched this book is — and how effortlessly that research is woven into the story. Barineau never lectures. She never turns the novel into a history lesson on early 20th‑century capitalism, ecological disaster, or economic colonialism. Instead, she lets the human story carry the weight. Jo and Rafa’s experiences illuminate the larger forces at play without ever feeling didactic or symbolic.

And importantly: this is not a Romeo‑and‑Juliet romance.
It’s something more grounded, more honest, more human.
A story about two young people navigating a world shaped by forces far bigger than themselves — and finding connection, resilience, and clarity in the midst of it.

Jungle of Ashes is imaginative historical fiction at its finest: vivid, compassionate, and unafraid to show how the past echoes into our present. I finished it feeling both heartbroken and illuminated — and deeply grateful to have learned about a piece of history I will never forget.

[Sherry Rosen | Stories with Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review of the audiobook. The ALC was provided to me by the publisher, History Through Fiction, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Jungle of Ashes much more than I expected! Having worked in the automotive industry for many years, the description intrigued me, but I did not expect to fall in love with Jo and Rafa. I usually read historical fiction related to WWII and I enjoyed reading about a different era.

Seventeen-year-old Joanna ["Jo"] Rogge is uprooted from Michigan when her father is appointed assistant manager of the Ford Company's Amazonian plantation. Eager to escape the confining expectations of American society, Joanna finds herself both fascinated and disturbed by the rainforest-and by Rafael ["Rafa"] Caetano, a skilled Brazilian mechanic with ambitions of his own.

As conditions in Fordlandia deteriorate-diseased crops, rising fevers, and mounting tensions between management and labor-Joanna and Rafael are drawn together in a fragile romance that defies class, culture, and the company's rigid rules. When political revolution and corporate control collide, they must choose between duty and desire, safety and truth, survival and love.

I love that the book is about so much more than the rise and fall of Fordlandia - it is about strength, resilience, and acceptance. Jo is brilliant, mature, inquisitive, and daring - a FMC after my heart. I enjoyed watching her develop from a dutiful daughter into a strong and assertive young woman.

The writing was intentional and concise, vivid and descriptive when needed and well-paced. I was not bored or distracted at any time.

The ending (epilogue) was a welcome surprise and I am so happy the author included this. I love ending a book on a note that brings happy tears.

The audio was wonderful, and I appreciate that the narrator, Caroline Hewitt, used the authentic Portuguese pronunciation for Rafael and other names. In the last 40 minutes of the book, however, something odd happened with the narrator's voice - it randomly alternated with a deeper and slower version.

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction.

[Tara Breuer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy historical fiction, this is an audiobook you simply cannot miss. I’m not someone who can listen for hours unless a story truly grabs me—but with this one, every time I had to stop, I couldn’t wait to come back. From the very first chapter to the final word, it held my attention completely. And it’s not just the story that shines—the narration is phenomenal. The pacing, the shifts in tone, the character voices… everything works together beautifully. I loved every minute of how this book was brought to life.
The story centers on Fordlandia, the Brazilian city Henry Ford created in his attempt to secure his own rubber supply. It’s a vivid, compelling look at the late 1920s and early 1930s—American and Brazilian lifestyles, cultural contrasts, the roles and expectations placed on women, and the stark divide between big business and the laborers who kept it running. All of this is woven together with a tender love story that feels both sweet and grounded. Nothing comes easy for these characters, and that realism makes the story even more powerful. Though it’s fiction, it feels like it could have been true—no fairy‑tale endings, just life as it might have been.
The pacing never drags, making all eleven-plus hours a genuinely great listen. And the ending… it’s incredibly moving. I’d honestly recommend listening to the last hour alone, with a box of tissues nearby. I’m grateful the author kept every piece of the story intact; without them, it wouldn’t have had nearly the same emotional impact. Be sure to listen to the Epilogue and the author’s notes—they’re important, fascinating, and they clarify what’s historical and what’s imagined.
If you love historical fiction, this is absolutely for you. If you’re new to the genre, this is the perfect place to start. And if you prefer audiobooks, this one is a standout. I can’t stop talking about how good it is. As someone who reads constantly, this will definitely be one of my favorites of the year. It’s great for book clubs, and I’d recommend it for mid‑teens and up. For me, this is a six‑star book, and I know I’ll be talking about it for a long time.