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Out of Alice
From the bestselling author of Pieces of Blue and Wildhorse Creek comes an evocative and heartfelt story about how in the remotest of places lives can be lost...and found.
When Sara Blake takes up a position as governess on Redhill Station in Central Australia, she isn't expecting to encounter a family in crisis, or to uncover a tragedy of her own.
With the owners' son critically ill, Sara is called upon to take care of their young daughter. As the family struggles to make a living from the drought-stricken land, everyone pitches in – and Sara finds herself letting people in to the empty spaces in her heart.
But the longer she spends out bush, the more she becomes plagued by elusive visions of her dark and troubled childhood. The fragments of memory lead her deep into the red centre of Australia, where at picturesque Kings Canyon she must confront the horrifying secrets of her past.
When Sara Blake takes up a position as governess on Redhill Station in Central Australia, she isn't expecting to encounter a family in crisis, or to uncover a tragedy of her own.
With the owners' son critically ill, Sara is called upon to take care of their young daughter. As the family struggles to make a living from the drought-stricken land, everyone pitches in – and Sara finds herself letting people in to the empty spaces in her heart.
But the longer she spends out bush, the more she becomes plagued by elusive visions of her dark and troubled childhood. The fragments of memory lead her deep into the red centre of Australia, where at picturesque Kings Canyon she must confront the horrifying secrets of her past.
382 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2016
18 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Kerry McGinnis
22 books78 followersKerry McGinnis was born in Adelaide and, at the age of twelve, took up a life of droving with her father and three siblings. The family travelled extensively across the Northern Territory and Queensland before settling on a station in the Gulf Country. Kerry has worked as a shepherd, droving hand, gardener, stock-camp and station cook, eventually running a property at Bowthorn, near Mount Isa. She is the author of two volumes of memoir and now lives in Bundaberg.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 25, 2016
1994 and Sara Blake was escaping – her sudden, rushed departure from first Adelaide then Mildura had her on a journey to Alice Springs where she would catch a Greyhound bus to Charlotte Creek in the Northern Territory. Her ultimate destination was Redhill Station where she would assume duties as governess for the family. Sara’s arrival at Charlotte Creek was greeted by intense heat, and aside from the roadhouse, nothing but dust and mulga as far as her eye could see. Learning she had another two hours over rough terrain before arriving at the homestead made her wonder what on earth she was doing. Central Australia wasn’t for the faint hearted…
Sara met Beth and Len, owners of Redhill Station as well as their two children, Becky and Sam – Beth’s brother Jack had given her the lift from the roadhouse. Sara’s shock at the sight of Sam turned to concern when told of his illness – Becky was to be her student and it seemed they would become great friends. As Sara settled into life on Redhill Station, it felt like she had come home. But the long drought made day to day living a struggle in outback Australia – they desperately needed rain.
Sara’s shadowy, elusive childhood was one she struggled without success to remember. Something had happened when she was a child – but as gradual flashes of memory began to stir in her mind, suddenly Sara wasn’t sure she wanted to know about her past. There was trauma and tragedy involved, that much she was sure…
I absolutely devoured Out of Alice by Aussie author Kerry McGinnis! Laced with beautiful, descriptive writing, the setting had me feeling the heat, the vastness of the outback and the brilliance of the star-laden night sky. The characters are well drawn; many of them memorable – but particularly the childish enthusiasm of Becky and the quiet stoic behaviour of Sam. Out of Alice is a great novel by an outstanding Australian author and one I highly recommend.
With thanks to Penguin Australia for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
Sara met Beth and Len, owners of Redhill Station as well as their two children, Becky and Sam – Beth’s brother Jack had given her the lift from the roadhouse. Sara’s shock at the sight of Sam turned to concern when told of his illness – Becky was to be her student and it seemed they would become great friends. As Sara settled into life on Redhill Station, it felt like she had come home. But the long drought made day to day living a struggle in outback Australia – they desperately needed rain.
Sara’s shadowy, elusive childhood was one she struggled without success to remember. Something had happened when she was a child – but as gradual flashes of memory began to stir in her mind, suddenly Sara wasn’t sure she wanted to know about her past. There was trauma and tragedy involved, that much she was sure…
I absolutely devoured Out of Alice by Aussie author Kerry McGinnis! Laced with beautiful, descriptive writing, the setting had me feeling the heat, the vastness of the outback and the brilliance of the star-laden night sky. The characters are well drawn; many of them memorable – but particularly the childish enthusiasm of Becky and the quiet stoic behaviour of Sam. Out of Alice is a great novel by an outstanding Australian author and one I highly recommend.
With thanks to Penguin Australia for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
July 4, 2017
The year is 1994 and Sara is desperate to leave the past and a fearful situation behind. She has taken a position as a governess to two children on a property in the Northern Territory, the heart of the Australian outback. Never having worked as a governess before, this is a huge departure for her. As a result of drought, the landscape is dry and barren except for mulga and the heat is intense. Will she be up to the job? Will she be able to cope with the isolation? How will she get along with Beth her employer and how will her two charges Sam and Becky respond to her? Then she finds out Sam has leukaemia and she is called upon to take on more responsibility at Redhill Station when his situation worsens. And why is Sara having vague memories of country living when she has lived in cities all her life?
I loved this story. Sara is a plucky character plagued by a troubled childhood and a sense that something is missing in her life. She really comes to life as a character as do Beth, Sam and Becky, Beth’s brother, Jack, and various other inhabitants of the community of Charlotte’s Creek. But the character that overshadows all of them is that of the landscape. The description is amazing. The land is so well depicted, I could almost feel myself there with its stark landscape and the desperate need for rain.
There is a mystery in Sara’s life uncovered and questions answered about her background. Memories and information emerge that put a whole different perspective on her life. As well as the mystery there is also a romance and it was beautifully and subtly done.
I found this a great read that kept me interested throughout and wanting to get back to it whenever I had a spare moment and even sometimes when I didn’t. That’s the sign of a good book. If you want a great read with true to life characters and a fantastic Aussie outback setting, don’t miss this one.
I loved this story. Sara is a plucky character plagued by a troubled childhood and a sense that something is missing in her life. She really comes to life as a character as do Beth, Sam and Becky, Beth’s brother, Jack, and various other inhabitants of the community of Charlotte’s Creek. But the character that overshadows all of them is that of the landscape. The description is amazing. The land is so well depicted, I could almost feel myself there with its stark landscape and the desperate need for rain.
There is a mystery in Sara’s life uncovered and questions answered about her background. Memories and information emerge that put a whole different perspective on her life. As well as the mystery there is also a romance and it was beautifully and subtly done.
I found this a great read that kept me interested throughout and wanting to get back to it whenever I had a spare moment and even sometimes when I didn’t. That’s the sign of a good book. If you want a great read with true to life characters and a fantastic Aussie outback setting, don’t miss this one.
August 6, 2023
4.5 stars
Kerry McGinnis spins another great tale. Simply enjoying the outback settings in Kerry’s novels.
Beautiful.
Listened to the audio via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda Audio
Narrated by Cecilia Ramsdale
Duration: 11 hrs, 59 min. 1.25x Speed
Kerry McGinnis spins another great tale. Simply enjoying the outback settings in Kerry’s novels.
Beautiful.
Listened to the audio via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda Audio
Narrated by Cecilia Ramsdale
Duration: 11 hrs, 59 min. 1.25x Speed
May 10, 2016
Kerry McGinnis paints Australian bush like no other.
My View:
Kerry McGinnis has convinced me - The Alice is now on our travel destination list!
This is the second book by McGinnis that I have read, each so vastly different thematically but McGinnis’s trade mark passion for the outback and her ability to portray the locations with such an intensely visual palette is constant across both books; superb reading.
There is little more I can add to my previous accolades except – the main characters are warm and generous, the settings brilliantly drawn, the mystery beckons you to read and read on. Kerry McGinnis writes authentic rural narratives with complex plots and contemporary issues. Read on today – you will be impressed.
My View:
Kerry McGinnis has convinced me - The Alice is now on our travel destination list!
This is the second book by McGinnis that I have read, each so vastly different thematically but McGinnis’s trade mark passion for the outback and her ability to portray the locations with such an intensely visual palette is constant across both books; superb reading.
There is little more I can add to my previous accolades except – the main characters are warm and generous, the settings brilliantly drawn, the mystery beckons you to read and read on. Kerry McGinnis writes authentic rural narratives with complex plots and contemporary issues. Read on today – you will be impressed.
August 15, 2024
liked the aussie vibe, would lend to a friend, wouldn't read a second time
June 25, 2016
Living and working on Australia’s harsh and unforgiving outback land, at the mercy of the elements, has provided Kerry McGinnis with the skills set to produce authentic rural stories. Out of Alice is another fantastic rural based fiction offering from Aussie author Kerry McGinnis.
Out of Alice is the story of a determined young woman named Sara Blake, who trades in her going-nowhere life in the city, for a fresh start in the outback as a governess. Out of Alice is also the story of a family doing it tough on the land, struggling to make ends meet as the drought continues to wreck havoc on their land and lives. The family face further adversity when one of their children undergoes treatment for cancer. As Sara supports the family as best she can, her life begins to change when an opportunity to indulge in a new romance arises. However, Sara is also forced to confront painful memories from the past, triggered by her move to the Alice.
Kerry McGinnis had me gripped simply by her choice of book title, I knew I was going to be in for a cracking read and McGinnis certainly did not disappoint. I would dearly love to visit the Alice and Australia’s central region in general, especially after reading this book. I felt even more determined in my quest to get to this part of Australia once I finished Out of Alice. McGinnis draws on firsthand experience to inform her novel and storyline. Out of Alice contains a number of themes from drought, financial struggles, land issues, health, family secrets, self discovery and romance, to a touch of outback mystery. Each of these themes are fleshed out by McGinnis, so the end result is a highly readable and realistic picture of life in the red centre. To read a Kerry McGinnis novel is always a pure visual spectacle, her passion and understanding of her setting, rural Australia, is undeniable. I lapped up each and every setting description in the novel. Characters are also strength in this novel and Sara Blake is a great female protagonist. Her very personal journey is heartfelt and I admired her kind hearted nature. Adding a sense of mystery around this character and the memories she must unlock was a wise choice by McGinnis, as it gave me further incentive to read on. The gentle romance that lingers in the background of Out of Alice rounds up this novel perfectly. I am sure readers are bound to appreciate McGinnis’ ability to balance a remote landscape and memorable characters with an interesting plotline.
Out of Alice marks the fourth novel I have read my Kerry McGinnis and I can whole heartedly say I have enjoyed each and every one.
This review also appears on my blog https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com...
Out of Alice is the story of a determined young woman named Sara Blake, who trades in her going-nowhere life in the city, for a fresh start in the outback as a governess. Out of Alice is also the story of a family doing it tough on the land, struggling to make ends meet as the drought continues to wreck havoc on their land and lives. The family face further adversity when one of their children undergoes treatment for cancer. As Sara supports the family as best she can, her life begins to change when an opportunity to indulge in a new romance arises. However, Sara is also forced to confront painful memories from the past, triggered by her move to the Alice.
Kerry McGinnis had me gripped simply by her choice of book title, I knew I was going to be in for a cracking read and McGinnis certainly did not disappoint. I would dearly love to visit the Alice and Australia’s central region in general, especially after reading this book. I felt even more determined in my quest to get to this part of Australia once I finished Out of Alice. McGinnis draws on firsthand experience to inform her novel and storyline. Out of Alice contains a number of themes from drought, financial struggles, land issues, health, family secrets, self discovery and romance, to a touch of outback mystery. Each of these themes are fleshed out by McGinnis, so the end result is a highly readable and realistic picture of life in the red centre. To read a Kerry McGinnis novel is always a pure visual spectacle, her passion and understanding of her setting, rural Australia, is undeniable. I lapped up each and every setting description in the novel. Characters are also strength in this novel and Sara Blake is a great female protagonist. Her very personal journey is heartfelt and I admired her kind hearted nature. Adding a sense of mystery around this character and the memories she must unlock was a wise choice by McGinnis, as it gave me further incentive to read on. The gentle romance that lingers in the background of Out of Alice rounds up this novel perfectly. I am sure readers are bound to appreciate McGinnis’ ability to balance a remote landscape and memorable characters with an interesting plotline.
Out of Alice marks the fourth novel I have read my Kerry McGinnis and I can whole heartedly say I have enjoyed each and every one.
This review also appears on my blog https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com...
July 12, 2016
A remote location, evocatively described. Secrets triggered by long-blocked memories, creating tension, mystery and a gripping story. Characters who go beyond the stereotypes and paint a portrait of quiet strength, resilience and perseverance. And a fledgling romance that simmers in the background, creating a romantic spark that readers hope will fire up.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s so much more than city-girl-proves-them-wrong. McGinnis is a poet of landscape and took me all the way out to Alice, and further out, into desert lands made beautiful by the characters’ love, hope and dreams.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s so much more than city-girl-proves-them-wrong. McGinnis is a poet of landscape and took me all the way out to Alice, and further out, into desert lands made beautiful by the characters’ love, hope and dreams.
April 18, 2023
This was one I listened to, the story was ok but a bit predictable, and I didn't really like the way it was read. I have been to Alice Springs and Kings Canyon so I was interested in the setting of the book.
February 26, 2021
Having read another of mcginnis’ books recently, I found the plot lines very similar so wasn’t as engaged bc of the predictability. Quick tidy ending.
June 12, 2017
Sara Blake had a mother who she knew, didn't love her so her childhood was harsh. Disillusioned with her life and the city she got a job as governess at a remote station in Central Australia. She feels connected to this farming life and the family who learn to love her. There are moments of fleeting recollections when eventually each memory becomes clearer. A journalist from Sydney tracks her down and tries to convince her she is one of a twin that went missing in her early childhood. The journalist asks her to go to Kings Canyon where Sara and her family were camped when she was a child and memories come flooding back.
Of course there has to be romance so Jack is the man for that! He's a cool character who at first, makes her feel he doesn't see anything in her at all.
Kerry McGinnis describes every scene in the book so well it makes the reader feel as if they are there, with Sara in one of the most remote parts of Australia.
Loved this book!
Of course there has to be romance so Jack is the man for that! He's a cool character who at first, makes her feel he doesn't see anything in her at all.
Kerry McGinnis describes every scene in the book so well it makes the reader feel as if they are there, with Sara in one of the most remote parts of Australia.
Loved this book!
November 2, 2021
We’ve come to the conclusion that if we find an author whose audio book was quite an enjoyable trip passer, we should not immediately follow up with another offering from the same author.
The style of writing, characters and setting was so much in tune with the last book, that we swapped characters from one book to the other. This, in itself, added some entertainment for us I guess, as we invented unlikely scenarios with alternate characters when we weren’t listening to the book.
It was a predictable plot, but one that we were quite happy to follow along with. I do think we could have wrapped up the ending a bit more quickly and with more panache. This author seems to drag the writing towards the book’s conclusion.
Still, we found the central desert country descriptions quite accurate and most often beautiful and admired the dogged determination and optimistic attitudes of the real Aussie country characters.
The style of writing, characters and setting was so much in tune with the last book, that we swapped characters from one book to the other. This, in itself, added some entertainment for us I guess, as we invented unlikely scenarios with alternate characters when we weren’t listening to the book.
It was a predictable plot, but one that we were quite happy to follow along with. I do think we could have wrapped up the ending a bit more quickly and with more panache. This author seems to drag the writing towards the book’s conclusion.
Still, we found the central desert country descriptions quite accurate and most often beautiful and admired the dogged determination and optimistic attitudes of the real Aussie country characters.
October 3, 2022
Having just travelled to Uluṟu, Alice Springs & Kings Canyon, I purchased this book at the airport for the flight home. Whilst the backdrop of the Northern Territory was very relatable, the story line was engaging & entertaining. Sara Blake takes up a position in Central Australia as a governess to evade her unhappy childhood, her broken marriage & the unwanted attentions of a strange man. It is here at Redhill Station outside Alice Springs that she begins to have some strange flashbacks which may help unlock the secrets of her unhappy childhood.
Her work & involvement with the Redhill Station family, brings her much joy & sorrow as she works with a family in a crisis of their own while contending with drought conditions.
It is through the family that she finds herself, unearths her traumatic past & finds peace, acceptance & love in the raw & confronting Red Centre.
Her work & involvement with the Redhill Station family, brings her much joy & sorrow as she works with a family in a crisis of their own while contending with drought conditions.
It is through the family that she finds herself, unearths her traumatic past & finds peace, acceptance & love in the raw & confronting Red Centre.
May 11, 2018
'Out of Alice' by Kerry McGinnis is one of the few Australian novels I have read lately that has strong, authentic characters, realistic language and a slow romance that does not take centre stage. But the real star of the story is the setting. McGinnis deftly describes the rugged outback environment out of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory where mulga is almost the only plant that grows, where the long drought has caused havoc on the countryside and people alike, where the big sky is ablaze with millions of stars, where the Flying Doctor service plays a crucial, life-saving role, and where the isolation creates a resilient community. A satisfying story.
March 11, 2018
I bought this book on a trip to Alice Springs, simply because it was set in the surrounding country & I enjoy reading books from places I am visiting. I wasn’t disappointed with descriptions of the setting but found the storyline a little “too convenient” for my liking; I think it was a little predictable, although still enjoyable. Having lived in the Territory for over 20 years, the characters were authentic, appealing & believable.
July 6, 2020
DNF audio book - it was so slow going, nothing really happened for the longest time. The author drip fed the tiniest amount of story progression, but not enough to keep me engaged and one day I forgot that I was listening to it.
April 6, 2018
Enjoyable read although slow start & predictable ending.
May 28, 2021
Enjoyed not only the story line but the description of real life experiences living in the Outback. The author's research in this area gave an authenticity to the characters and the places.
July 14, 2021
Read as audiobook. Great descriptions of station life in the Red Centre, made me ‘homesick’ for my time spent there!
December 28, 2021
Nice little county read, a little predictable but some twists. Great scenery descriptions. Happy ending
March 14, 2022
Loved it. Having travelled through the areas in Kerry's story, it made it extra special. Great storytelling.
November 29, 2022
Makes me want to move to thr outback and be a stationhand.
July 17, 2023
Loved the story and the Australian content. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
August 14, 2023
Very enjoyable read! A little cheesy at times but still a satisfying tale!!
November 10, 2023
Like these stories set in the outback. Brings memories of traveling there in the 90s
April 9, 2016
This is the second Kerry McGinnis novel I’ve read (the other being Tracking North) and I love her settings. She definitely puts the ‘rural’ into rural lit, choosing more remote locations. I’ve never been to the Northern Territory so I was really excited to read this one.
Sara’s journey from Mildura involves travelling to Alice Springs, then a bus trip to Charlotte Creek and then a drive of a couple of hours to Redhill Farm, owned by married couple Len and Beth. It’s a harsh landscape, one that can be very unforgiving. When Sara arrives to take up a position as a governess, the area is in the grip of drought and most of the concerns locally revolve around water – how to get more of it, where you might be able to sink a bore, how much you need to keep X many head of cattle alive and lastly and most importantly, when it might actually rain.
The remote location doesn’t bother Sara – she’s fleeing something and the further away from society the better. She feels surprised to feel at home in the bush, although it’s beginning to stir up memories that have been long suppressed. The longer she spends at Redhill, the more these memories creep in, making her question everything she’d ever been told about her childhood.
I love the setting and I think Kerry McGinnis did a fantastic job showcasing what life is like in such a remote location. Sara is stunned to find out that they’re not on the electricity grid (although having driven hours to get there from a tiny town, she probably shouldn’t have been), the mail comes once a week and the children do school using School of the Air. Sara’s primary role is governess to Becky, making sure she does her schoolwork and taking care of her when her mother has to take Becky’s brother Sam to Alice Springs for chemotherapy and treatments. Their father works long days maintaining the family property so Sara is occasionally in charge of cooking and doing a few other things but mostly she’s there to help Becky. Sara and Becky develop a very strong relationship – Becky often feels left out, a bit less valued and appreciated because she’s not sick. Sam is sick, so he gets a lot of extra attention and concern, particularly from his mother and I think this was a very sensitive look at what it might be like to be the healthy, but slightly ignored sibling, simply because they are so healthy and don’t require that extra attention, that careful watching. Being so remote, they do have to keep an eye on Sam and get on top of anything right away because they need the Flying Doctor to be able to get them to the hospital.
I was intrigued about the reason that had brought Sara to Redhill and was interested to see it play out. It wasn’t at all what I expected and although I did enjoy Sara rediscovering her memories and learning about her past, I still feel as though there were a few holes that weren’t really addressed as satisfactorily as I would’ve liked. It required a bit of a stretch of the imagination at times. I found that as it unfolded, I lost interest in it a bit – it was more interesting when it was still a mystery than when some of those major things were revealed.
My favourite part of the book I think was the friendship between Jack, brother of Beth who helps out on Redhill a lot and Sara. It’s very understated, something that is allowed to develop and mature slowly over the course of the book. Sara comes to place a lot of trust in him and I loved the way in which they became so close. Jack was a great character, a real ‘jack of all trades’ and one of the first to welcome Sara to the new area and help her out when she realised just how isolated the place she’d arrived in was. She confides in him when her memories start to return and he’s quite protective of her when a stranger comes looking for.
All in all, this was a good read, something that easily occupied me for an afternoon.
Sara’s journey from Mildura involves travelling to Alice Springs, then a bus trip to Charlotte Creek and then a drive of a couple of hours to Redhill Farm, owned by married couple Len and Beth. It’s a harsh landscape, one that can be very unforgiving. When Sara arrives to take up a position as a governess, the area is in the grip of drought and most of the concerns locally revolve around water – how to get more of it, where you might be able to sink a bore, how much you need to keep X many head of cattle alive and lastly and most importantly, when it might actually rain.
The remote location doesn’t bother Sara – she’s fleeing something and the further away from society the better. She feels surprised to feel at home in the bush, although it’s beginning to stir up memories that have been long suppressed. The longer she spends at Redhill, the more these memories creep in, making her question everything she’d ever been told about her childhood.
I love the setting and I think Kerry McGinnis did a fantastic job showcasing what life is like in such a remote location. Sara is stunned to find out that they’re not on the electricity grid (although having driven hours to get there from a tiny town, she probably shouldn’t have been), the mail comes once a week and the children do school using School of the Air. Sara’s primary role is governess to Becky, making sure she does her schoolwork and taking care of her when her mother has to take Becky’s brother Sam to Alice Springs for chemotherapy and treatments. Their father works long days maintaining the family property so Sara is occasionally in charge of cooking and doing a few other things but mostly she’s there to help Becky. Sara and Becky develop a very strong relationship – Becky often feels left out, a bit less valued and appreciated because she’s not sick. Sam is sick, so he gets a lot of extra attention and concern, particularly from his mother and I think this was a very sensitive look at what it might be like to be the healthy, but slightly ignored sibling, simply because they are so healthy and don’t require that extra attention, that careful watching. Being so remote, they do have to keep an eye on Sam and get on top of anything right away because they need the Flying Doctor to be able to get them to the hospital.
I was intrigued about the reason that had brought Sara to Redhill and was interested to see it play out. It wasn’t at all what I expected and although I did enjoy Sara rediscovering her memories and learning about her past, I still feel as though there were a few holes that weren’t really addressed as satisfactorily as I would’ve liked. It required a bit of a stretch of the imagination at times. I found that as it unfolded, I lost interest in it a bit – it was more interesting when it was still a mystery than when some of those major things were revealed.
My favourite part of the book I think was the friendship between Jack, brother of Beth who helps out on Redhill a lot and Sara. It’s very understated, something that is allowed to develop and mature slowly over the course of the book. Sara comes to place a lot of trust in him and I loved the way in which they became so close. Jack was a great character, a real ‘jack of all trades’ and one of the first to welcome Sara to the new area and help her out when she realised just how isolated the place she’d arrived in was. She confides in him when her memories start to return and he’s quite protective of her when a stranger comes looking for.
All in all, this was a good read, something that easily occupied me for an afternoon.
April 16, 2025
From the moment Sara Blake steps off the train and into the red dust of Central Australia, this story wraps itself around you like the dry desert heat—quiet at first, but relentless in its emotional pull. What begins as a governess taking up a new post becomes something far more profound: a tale of buried trauma, unexpected healing, and the way harsh landscapes can mirror the scars we carry inside.
Sara Blake is not your typical heroine. She’s reserved, measured, and clearly running from something. Her journey to Redhill Station isn’t just geographical—it’s deeply internal. As she tends to the station owners’ young daughter and witnesses the family’s pain over their gravely ill son, Sara is gradually drawn out of the emotional cocoon she’s wrapped herself in. There’s something heartbreakingly tender in the way she finds herself becoming part of a family that’s as fractured and vulnerable as she is.
What I found especially powerful was the setting. The Australian outback isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing presence in the story. The drought-stricken land, the endless skies, and the raw, rugged beauty of Kings Canyon all reflect the emotional barrenness and quiet yearning of the characters. I could almost feel the red dust on my skin, the silence of the bush pressing in, broken only by the distant call of birds or the howl of memory.
The novel carefully balances present struggles and past traumas, layering Sara’s daily efforts to bring some normalcy to Redhill Station with the creeping, fragmented return of childhood memories. These elusive flashbacks are handled with subtlety and sensitivity, never rushing the revelation, allowing the reader to piece things together alongside Sara. And when the truth finally comes into focus—it hits like a thunderclap. Devastating, yes, but also necessary. Cathartic.
One of the things I loved most about this story was the way it explored the idea of healing not as a straight line, but as something messy, painful, and often found in unexpected places. The relationship Sara forms with the young girl she cares for is especially poignant—there’s something about the quiet resilience of children that often allows adults to see their own wounds more clearly. Through the daily rhythms of station life—meals, chores, the occasional moment of laughter—Sara begins to rediscover connection and, more importantly, courage.
The pacing is gentle but purposeful, allowing the emotional arcs to deepen without ever becoming melodramatic. And the writing—oh, the writing! It’s lyrical in places, stark in others, perfectly capturing both the desolation and strange beauty of the world Sara inhabits.
As someone who loves stories of quiet strength, emotional introspection, and landscapes that shape characters as much as plot, this novel struck a deep chord with me. Sara’s journey is deeply relatable—not because we all carry the same trauma, but because we all understand what it means to feel lost in our own lives, to be haunted by the past, and to crave a sense of belonging. The story doesn’t offer easy resolutions, but it does offer hope—that even in the harshest environments, life can bloom again.
If you’re drawn to character-driven narratives with emotional depth, a strong sense of place, and themes of resilience, memory, and healing, this one’s for you. Just be prepared—it’ll stay with you long after the final page.
Sara Blake is not your typical heroine. She’s reserved, measured, and clearly running from something. Her journey to Redhill Station isn’t just geographical—it’s deeply internal. As she tends to the station owners’ young daughter and witnesses the family’s pain over their gravely ill son, Sara is gradually drawn out of the emotional cocoon she’s wrapped herself in. There’s something heartbreakingly tender in the way she finds herself becoming part of a family that’s as fractured and vulnerable as she is.
What I found especially powerful was the setting. The Australian outback isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing presence in the story. The drought-stricken land, the endless skies, and the raw, rugged beauty of Kings Canyon all reflect the emotional barrenness and quiet yearning of the characters. I could almost feel the red dust on my skin, the silence of the bush pressing in, broken only by the distant call of birds or the howl of memory.
The novel carefully balances present struggles and past traumas, layering Sara’s daily efforts to bring some normalcy to Redhill Station with the creeping, fragmented return of childhood memories. These elusive flashbacks are handled with subtlety and sensitivity, never rushing the revelation, allowing the reader to piece things together alongside Sara. And when the truth finally comes into focus—it hits like a thunderclap. Devastating, yes, but also necessary. Cathartic.
One of the things I loved most about this story was the way it explored the idea of healing not as a straight line, but as something messy, painful, and often found in unexpected places. The relationship Sara forms with the young girl she cares for is especially poignant—there’s something about the quiet resilience of children that often allows adults to see their own wounds more clearly. Through the daily rhythms of station life—meals, chores, the occasional moment of laughter—Sara begins to rediscover connection and, more importantly, courage.
The pacing is gentle but purposeful, allowing the emotional arcs to deepen without ever becoming melodramatic. And the writing—oh, the writing! It’s lyrical in places, stark in others, perfectly capturing both the desolation and strange beauty of the world Sara inhabits.
As someone who loves stories of quiet strength, emotional introspection, and landscapes that shape characters as much as plot, this novel struck a deep chord with me. Sara’s journey is deeply relatable—not because we all carry the same trauma, but because we all understand what it means to feel lost in our own lives, to be haunted by the past, and to crave a sense of belonging. The story doesn’t offer easy resolutions, but it does offer hope—that even in the harshest environments, life can bloom again.
If you’re drawn to character-driven narratives with emotional depth, a strong sense of place, and themes of resilience, memory, and healing, this one’s for you. Just be prepared—it’ll stay with you long after the final page.
February 12, 2016
Penguin reading copy pre release
I enjoyed it. I loved the historical, rural aspect of this book. It has hidden romance but exactly a romance novel. It doesn't actually say but it must be based in the early 90's during a bad drought.
Main character accepts a job as a governess out an outback rural station. While there she starts having memories about her childhood (previously supressed). The book goes through the uncovering of them. Bits of it were just not believable but I did like it. Easy, moreish read.
would probably give 3.5 stars rather than just the 3.
I enjoyed it. I loved the historical, rural aspect of this book. It has hidden romance but exactly a romance novel. It doesn't actually say but it must be based in the early 90's during a bad drought.
Main character accepts a job as a governess out an outback rural station. While there she starts having memories about her childhood (previously supressed). The book goes through the uncovering of them. Bits of it were just not believable but I did like it. Easy, moreish read.
would probably give 3.5 stars rather than just the 3.
July 3, 2016
Have you all read the three books that make up Kerry McGinnis's own life? You'll understand then why she can write about life in the bush and it feels absolutely real. Loved the characters in this book, the mystery of Sara's missing childhood and the interesting snippets of the day to day life in the outback. The background characters were totally real, bringing warmth and humour to the story as they welcomed her into their lives. If you love an Aussie yarn with some romance thrown in, you'll love this story.
April 28, 2016
This author really knows how to tell a story. I feel like I am actually there when I'm reading her descriptions of the outback. Great story of a young woman working in the outback and realising that maybe she's lived a similar lifestyle early in her life. Memory flashbacks of Sara's childhood provesto be much more significant than anyone thought. Brilliant... loved it.
August 2, 2016
I wanted an easy read to balance another book and had ordered this from library. it was an easy read but too much of a romance for my liking these days. It is very descriptive of the landscape in the Northern Territory and has good characters in it.
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