The Three of Us

by Kim Lock

A life lived in the shadows. A love that should never have been hidden.

In the small town of Gawler, South Australia, the tang of cut grass and eucalyptus mingles on the warm air. The neat houses perched under the big gum trees on Church Street have been home to many over the years. Years of sprinklers stuttering over clipped lawns, children playing behind low brick walls. Family barbecues. Gossipy neighbours. Arguments. Accidents. Births, deaths, marriages. This ordinary street has seen it all.

Until the arrival of newlyweds Thomas and Elsie Mullet. And when one day Elsie spies a face in the window of the silent house next door, nothing will ever be ordinary again...

In Kim Lock's third novel of what really goes on behind closed doors, she weaves the tale of three people with one big secret; a story of fifty years of friendship, betrayal, loss and laughter in a heartwarming depiction of love against the odds.

PRAISE FOR THE THREE OF US

"Delightfully sweet and tender with moments of tragic poignancy, this is a wise and compelling Australian story with a vivid and tangible sense of time and place. I fell head over heels for Elsie, Thomas and Aida and was desperate for them to prevail against all odds on their tumultuous journey." NICOLA MORIARTY, author of The Fifth Letter

"With great care and compassion for the lives and losses of human beings, Kim Lock artfully weaves this moving and surprising story of the simple complexity of relationships and how they shape us" SOPHIE GREEN, author the bestselling The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Bookclub

"The Three of Us is a beautiful story about love against all odds. Heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measures." EMMA VISKIC, author of the award-winning Resurrection Bay

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Book Club

ebook

First published January 30, 2018

About the author

Kim Lock is an internationally published author of four novels, including The Other Side of Beautiful (2021). Her writing has also appeared in Kill Your Darlings, The Guardian, Daily Life and The Sydney Morning Herald online, among others. She lives in regional South Australia with her family.

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elsie and Thomas Mullet are newlyweds in 1960 when they move into their house in Gawler, South Australia. Elsie was forced to resign from her typing job, she tries hard to be a housewife, she discovers there’s only so many times you can clean the bathroom and wash sheets, she feels isolated and bored.

Thomas works for Mr. Bagnoli at his store, he sells new electrical appliances, vacuum cleaners, fridges and washing machines. Thomas likes his job, he does in home demonstrations and sometimes travels.

Aida Glasson is eighteen years old, unmarried, has a secret and lives on the same block of land as the Mullets. Elise sees Aida peeking out of the window one day, both women are lonely and they meet when Aida helps Elsie with her sick chicken and gives her badly needed cooking advice.

Instead of picking out his wife’s flaws, Thomas is considerate and open minded. Thomas Mullet is a man before his time and not your average Aussie bloke, he want's Elsie to be happy and he understands she’s different. The Mullets don’t have your typical marriage, family’s as we know come in all kinds of configurations and you never know what goes on behind closed doors.

I received a digital copy of The Three of Us by Kim Lock from Escape Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Spanning fifty years it's a story about marriage, unwed mothers and how badly they were treated, complex relationships, how love can come in many forms and types.

A tender, moving, selfless, emotional and thought provoking narrative from Kim Lock and five stars from me.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newly married, excited and oh so happy, Elsie and Thomas Mullet arrived at the house Thomas had bought for them. Gawler in South Australia, just north of Adelaide – the suburbs where the little family could grow to a bigger family; have a future. Thomas was the top salesman in Bagnoli’s homeware store and continuing to do well. Mr Bagnoli was very happy with him and his ability to finish a sale on anything, from the new-fangled vacuum cleaners to the expensive washing machines.

Elsie and Thomas thought the house next door was vacant until Elsie spied a face at the window. From that day forward, lives would change, and futures would be nothing like Elsie and Thomas had ever imagined. Secrets and lies were common in people’s lives, but their secrets and lies mounted until Elsie and Thomas wondered if anything would ever be the same again…

The Three of Us by Aussie author Kim Lock is a story of friendship, love and guilt. It’s absolutely nothing like I imagined it to be, and I’m so glad the blurb didn’t give away the “meat” of the story! I hope no reviews do either, as this one is a story you need to read and discover all by yourself. Let me say The Three of Us is a fabulous novel, and one I highly recommend.

With thanks to Pan Macmillan AU for my copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

[John Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my third book by Kim Lock, her books are all distinctly South Australian, yet all very different. This one surprised me, slow to start, but building throughout in a family saga over 50 years. A love story for the ages. I will not soon forget Thomas, Elsie and Aida, along with their children and grandchildren. Powerful and moving, this was one terrific book.

A library ebook, five full stars. Ms Lock has created a wonderful story.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newlyweds Elsie and Thomas Mullet couldn't be happier as they move into their first home that Thomas purchased for them situated in Gawler in South Australia. This would be the home where in time Elsie and Thomas would start a family. The street in which they lived was tidy, well maintained and the neighbours were friendly, it was a great neighbourhood to raise a family or was it.

The neighbourhood they once believed was a great place to live started to change. With secrets and lies starting to circulate throughout the neighbourhood, Elise and Thomas begin to question if they have chosen the right area to live in.

The Three of Us is a wonderful story of friendship, betrayal, secrets and love. Aussie author Kim Lock sure knows how to keep her readers entertained as I enjoyed this book a great deal more than I thought I would. Highly recommended.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Small town fiction based in Gawler, South Australia, is the focus of Australian author Kim Lock’s third novel. The Three of Us is a rousing novel, that strikes at the very core of human relationships, revealing how love can come in many forms, when we least expect it.

In a small neighbourhood in the South Australian town of Gawler, newlyweds Thomas and Elise Mullet have settled into their new home and are looking forward to starting a family together. In this perfect little street, the houses are well kept and the lawns are carefully manicured. Everyone seems to be living the charmed life. However, there are secrets that some of the residents of the quiet and unsuspecting Church Street have been concealing from one another. When the Mullets encounter new next door neighbour Aida, their lives take a complete back flip. The Three of Us closely follows the journey of this set of neighbours, through the decades, as they experience, love, marriage, loss, birth and a friendship like no other.

I have been eagerly awaiting my chance to experience this book and the highly praised writing of Kim Lock. I decided to put aside some time on a recent holiday for this book, as I had the distinct feeling that once I started it I wouldn’t want to put it down. I was right, this is exactly what happened when I read The Three of Us! Adding to my curiosity is the big secret these characters have which turns this book on its head and I was warned! I tried not to go into The Three of Us with any sort of expectations, or predictions on what the surprising main subject matter would be. I think it worked, as I was very open minded in my reading experience to The Three of Us. Apologies for being very vague, but I do not wish to spoil the enjoyment or surprise factor for any potential readers. What I can say is I adored this book and I admire Kim Lock’s writing. I also urge any reader with the slightest bit of interest in The Three of Us to take a punt on this book, read it, I guarantee it will floor you!

Part of the appeal of The Three of Us is Kim Lock’s refined and simple prose. I rarely feel the urge to pull quotes from a text, but I felt compelled a number of times to savour the resonating words expressed by the characters in this novel. The Three of Us is a book that has so much to say about our way of life in Australia and our biases, but it is done with a simple tone that gets deep inside your soul. I love this style of transformative writing. It takes one talented writer to be able to subtly get under the skin of a reader and challenge their emotions and outlook on life. Bravo Kim Lock!

Another greatly appealing feature of The Three of Us is the recreation of the setting. I loved how The Three Us provides the reader with a modern history of Australia. Carefully woven within this novel are the social attitudes, policies and morals prevalent of the time. These also morphed as the book crossed from one decade after another. I liked how Lock included a number of cultural references relevant to the era in which she is depicting. A great wave of nostalgia washed over me more than once and I enjoyed this experience.

Lock’s characters are the kind of protagonists that leave a stain on your mind and are unlikely to leave you, long after the final word of this book has been read. Thomas is endearing, incredibly open, honest and kind. I found myself completely wrapped up in his life story. I liked the narrative choice of having Thomas reflect on his life as he is sadly nearing the end of his time, relaying the pivotal events of his life to a psychologist. It was a strong narrative device that drew me into this novel. Alongside Thomas comes Elsie, his dear wife and the woman that he shares so many life experiences with as the book progresses. What I liked about Thomas and Elsie Mullet is that they seemed like such simple and ordinary people, thrust into quite an unconventional situation. These are people we can easily picture living in our street or town, they are well drawn and authentic. This also extends to the third main character in The Three of Us, Aida, the mysterious neighbour who turns the Mullets life around through her presence. Alongside the Mullets and Aida, come their offspring and the community of Gawler, where our leads they live and work. I was impressed by Lock’s ability to bring both her minor and major characters to life so beautifully on the pages of this addictive novel.

So I come to the main subject matter or themes of this novel that I will need to skirt around. I will say there are moving portrayals of love, friendship, miscarriage, relationship pressures, forced adoption, Australian politics and policies, the rise of feminism and the thalidomide scandal. Apologies in advance for my evasiveness, but I really do not want to ruin this book for you! I will say The Three of Us offers up one of the most powerful studies in alternative love I have come across. Accolades need to be directed towards the author, Kim Lock, for exploring uncharted territory. The release of Lock’s novel comes at the right time. Our country seems to be embracing change and our acceptance of different relationships has come a long way. I am hoping that The Three of Us will pave the way for more of this style of Australian literature. Most of all, I hope this book will encourage discussion, acceptance, openness to change and a willingness to see how love often should not be seen in black and white. The Three of Us helps us see with clarity that love can be colourful and all encompassing.

Sometimes a book comes along that changes your world view and challenges your perceptions on a moral level. The Three of Us is a game changer and I admire Kim Lock greatly for taking a chance and writing a novel that really did need to be published. This novel offers up a love story like no other. I implore you to seek The Three of Us out, sooner rather than later.

*I wish to thank the author, Kim Lock, for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.

The Three of Us is book #34 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this one on my to be read pile for a long time and I am very glad I finally picked it up, this is a very moving and tender story of love, guilt and secrets, of families and life in the 1960’s in Australia and one that I am sure will have many readers thinking about life.

Elsie and Thomas Mullet have just married it is 1960 and they are moving into the house that Thomas has bought in Church St Gawler, South Australia and they are looking forward to a very happy future with children when they come along, the street is quiet, being 1960 Elsie had to give up her job because she married and although she is doing her best to be a housewife, she is bored and a little lonely with Thomas working so much, then she meets the young woman living in the house next door. Aida Glasson is eighteen, unmarried and is hiding away on her own, soon they become friends and their lives all three of them will change forever.

Fifty years later Thomas is told he is dying and he visits a physiologist, firstly he has not told his wife about the prognosis and secondly he hasn’t told his second wife either and he also has a secret, we learn then what has transpired in the lives of Thomas, Elsie and Aida, in a journey spanning fifty years the ups and downs and there were many along the way, this one had me feeling every emotion along the way and is a book that I would highly recommend to any reader of a good story.

I received a copy of this one from the publisher and Netgalley.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Three Of Us is the third novel by Australian author, Kim Lock. At seventy-five, Thomas Mullet has never had any reason to see a shrink, so he’s wary of what he’s telling the man he’s paying $200 an hour to listen. But he has some seriously bad news, and he doesn’t know how to tell his wife. Or his other wife. And that obviously needs explanation, so eventually, he starts at the beginning.

Back in 1960, as a secretary at the Gawler Town Council, the marriage bar dictates that when Elsie Rushall marries Thomas Mullet, she has to give up the job she loves and become a housewife. Trouble is, she’s not terribly good at it. She’s bored and, even though she meets the neighbourhood wives (a snobby, critical, uncharitable bunch) and joins the knitting club, she has no real friends: she’s also lonely.

Aida Glossop has moved in next door to the Mullets, but has been instructed not to talk to anyone. Basically, she’s in hiding, so as not to bring shame on her well-known father. But she can’t help taking pity on Elsie when there’s a chook emergency. After that, Elsie tries very hard to make friends with this other lonely soul, but Aida strongly resists. It takes a few more incidents, some minor, some much more serious, before they become friends. And then, much more.

Thomas has already spent $200 on therapy and hasn’t really reached the crux of the matter, the thing that’s really bothering him. But Harvey Green is patient, non-judgemental, understanding. Thomas confesses there’s something else he needs to tell…

Lock’s tale spans half a century and she easily evokes her era and setting with popular cultural references; the few anachronisms can be forgiven in a story that features characters it’s easy to care about, to cheer on, characters who richly reward the reader’s investment in them as they face the challenges of the rigid social mores of the time.

She gives her incidental priest some wise words: “‘You know that forgiveness isn’t about the other person though, don’t you, Mr Mullet?’ Thomas looked at him. ‘It’s about you.’ The priest pointed his finger at Thomas’s chest. ‘You forgive, so you can be free. When we don’t forgive, we make any wrongdoing our own. We cling to it. With non-forgiveness – it’s only ever ourselves that we harm.’” Funny, thought-provoking, heart-warming and uplifting.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Escape Publishing.

[Tien · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one sure thing I know I’ll come across in this novel is a female character giving birth. Well, okay, maybe I don’t actually know for sure but that’s 3 out of 3! It’s not the focus of this particular novel but it’s there… I remember my reading experience of Lock’s novel (Peace, Love, and Khaki Socks) and I could never forget that birthing scene and it will always forever colour my view of Kim Lock’s novels. She’s just gone from strength to strength!

The Three of Us opens with Thomas Mullet, a 70+ year old man, at his first appointment with a counselor. He’s there because he’s running out of time and needed guidance on what to do before time’s up. And within 5 pages, the first bomb was dropped. And it was a pretty big one…

There isn’t much I could say about the book without giving hints which may spoil it for you. Whatever your first expectation is… that’s not it. What I can say, however, was that it’s a love story; there is heartbreak and there is happiness. This book spans about 50 years of these characters’ lives. It began in the 60s when Thomas & Elsie just begun their lives as husband & wife. When brides are to give up their fulfilling jobs and maintain an efficient sparkling household. It ended in more recent times when wives and/or mothers are expected to work full time and maintain an efficient sparkling household. But still… in the span of half a century, society has not change all that much

‘Society is more tolerant?’

Thomas gave a wry laugh. ‘We like to think so, don’t we? But I reckon it’s just different versions of the same intolerance. There’s still criticism – horrible things still happen because of narrow minds.’

It was a very uncomfortable read for the first third of the book. Mainly because I have an aversion towards a certain trope and I was very anxious for it not to be employed here. By the end of the first third, the second bomb detonated. A little relief with the way the plot is taking but it was still a rather uncomfortable read. Uncomfortable because we do not speak of these things; we do not expect it in our mundane daily life (as an aside, I actually do know one household and… whatever works for them to be happy, you know).

This is the best of Kim Lock to date even though I still preferred her first work (being lighter in mood). However, The Three of Us is a novel we currently need in the world. The world does not change by itself. We change it. And sometimes, we need a prompt, a push, a nudge, a shove, to change it. In The Three of Us, you will find a love story like no other. I would highly recommend it for a bookclub read. I can guarantee you a very lively discussion! Some wine and chocolates are warranted to chill things a little.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for copy of book in exchange of honest review

[Theresa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Three of Us might just be one of the most surprising novels I’ve ever read. But I can’t tell you about it. Because that will ruin the surprise and this is definitely a case of the less you know the better. And I don’t mean this in the usual spoiler way. It’s just that you start out reading this novel and then very early on, you get the first surprise, and your mind builds up this picture and you begin to feel smug, because you know where this is going, except you’re wrong. And when you find out just how very wrong you are, your mind bends and flexes under the challenge this story presents, and you realise just how much you usually rely on pre-conceived notions when forming opinions. I read this novel in one sitting on a Friday night, no small feat given it’s 400 odd pages long, but it’s that good, I didn’t even consider leaving the rest until the next day.



Now, there are some things I can tell you:
1. Marriage is complex, we all know that, but maybe we don’t know as much as we think we do. Kim Lock portrays the complexities of marriage with a depth of understanding and compassion throughout The Three of Us, and she shows us, with an honesty that is humbling, just how fluid this institution can be if we open our minds and our hearts and leave our judgement on the doormat.
2. Thomas Mullet is an extraordinary man. To experience love in the way he loved Elsie would be a very special thing indeed. By no means a saint, he just got under my skin and I think he’s incredibly wonderful, so open-minded and with a heart truly made of gold. I did feel for him at times, because he had an awareness about Elsie’s love for him falling short of his own for her and yet, despite this, he still worshipped her for more than fifty years. He was also very ahead of his time in terms of domestic expectations. I loved that moment when he came to the conclusion that housework would most definitely be boring day in and day out. He understood the limitations a married woman faced, and that would have been rare in the 1960s.
3. I am continuously horrified by Australia’s history of taking babies away from their unwed mothers. This isn’t dimming with each account I read. The horror is just intensifying. The ripple effect of this is still being felt today by those affected. How many lives would have panned out differently if our welfare system had been set up with a more compassionate support base? The shame inflicted upon these women stained them and I feel so angry each time I think about it.
4. Families come in all shapes and sizes. Kim has done a wonderful job of portraying the family at the heart of this novel and the issues they faced with sensitivity and honesty. I really felt that she had a deep understanding of diversity and the realities of living within a non-standard nuclear family.
5. Love can save a person. Aida was on the edge of a precipice and love pulled her back, more than once. Again, well done to Kim for demonstrating just how much of a difference love can make.



So that’s all you’re getting. I’ve probably skated too close a few times already, so I can’t risk anymore near spills. The social history woven into this story is terrific, the small town atmosphere is authentic, and the characters are all 100% genuine. You really should read this novel, especially if you are in a bookclub. This is one read that comes guaranteed with endless pathways of discussion. It’s so good, and I’m fairly certain you won’t have read anything at all like it before.



Thanks is extended to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me with a copy of The Three of Us for review.

[Cass Moriarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Kim Lock writes novels that examine the turbulent gamut of human emotions and challenge our sense of the dichotomies of right and wrong, of good and bad. She takes situations and twists them into something new and unusual; she creates circumstances that test our comfort zone of the familiar and offer up a thought-provoking alternative. Her characters are easily relatable but at the same time caught up in events that we can’t quite believe are unfolding…and this produces the best kind of question for a reader of fiction: what would I do in that situation? How would I react? What are the options? How could I choose? Is it kinder to do this, or that?
In her latest novel, The Three of Us (Pan Macmillan 2018), Kim invites us to experience the intimacy of relationships spanning over 50 years. To say anything much at all about the plot would be to give away the elements of surprise, but suffice to say that this novel was nothing at all that I expected. It is a fresh perspective on the tradition of marriage; it is a tender exploration of the capacity of the human heart for love and devotion.
Set in a small town in South Australia, where everyone knows everybody else’s business, where – at the start of the novel, in 1960, gossiping neighbours and prying eyes are a given amongst the knitting circles and the backyard barbeques – the upholding of family reputations is paramount. Actually, while the narrative does begin at that point, the book itself begins with a short section set in the present, with 75-year-old Thomas opening up to a psychologist about what is bothering him. There are four or five such sections spread throughout the book, each pulling us back to the now, and reminding us that however far back we travel with the narrative (and whatever events have unfolded over the years), we will eventually end up here, in the present day, with Thomas looking back on his life and his choices. It is a structure that works well, demonstrating the passage of time, and emphasising the notion that life is fleeting, and that the issues and tribulations that plague us at points in our lives may seem nonsensical or trivial later on; the matters we were most concerned with (reputation, standing, acceptance) may vanish into unimportance. Conversely, the yearnings and desires we most fervently pursued only in the privacy of behind closed doors, or even in the stillness of our own hearts, may prove ultimately to be of most import.
This is a story about family, about the many shapes a family may take, about the many forces that help create those shapes, about the people that combine together – some related, some not – who form the basis of that familial bond. And while the book is an easy read, it does challenge us on our pre-existing notions of family and all that it means. It carries us along on a journey where we think we know exactly where we’re going, and where we’ll end up, but gradually we realise we are at a completely unexpected place, and we think, oh, we’re here, how did that happen? And how on earth am I going to find my way again? And how can I navigate when all the rules seem to have changed?
What I found really interesting about this novel is that it is written in a style and begins in a period when I could comfortably insert my own grandparents or parents into the characters’ lives, but then as the circumstances unfold and the story develops, and begins to deviate into another direction, I question my knowledge of my own history and the stories of those I think I know. For who, really, is privy to the intimacies of a marriage, a partnership, but the people involved? And who comprehends the sacrifice and loyalty and devotion and love of family members without experiencing the particulars of that individual situation?
This is a heart-felt and compassionate novel that makes us question our beliefs. It offers characters that are flawed and failing, flailing along as they attempt to make their way in the world. It demonstrates the capacity of the human heart to expand and to practice acceptance, tolerance and gratefulness.
Today Alison Evans published an article in The Saturday Paper about gender nonconformity and misunderstandings related to non-binary identity. Even though Alison’s writings are on a completely separate subject, somehow that article – and the themes of this book – have coalesced in my mind to form a curious itch to know more about difference and to comprehend diversity. I want to be brave enough to challenge my own preconceived notions, compassionate enough to welcome ‘the other’, insightful enough to recognise the shifting goalposts of a changing world, big enough to allow other people the space to tell their own stories, and small enough to understand that not everything ‘new’ is actually new, but may be only unusual or different to me, while being perfectly normal and usual and non-surprising to somebody else.

[Bree T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not the story I was expecting when I picked it up!

Thomas and Elsie are newlyweds, moving into their first home together in Gawler. It’s not modern day, so Elsie resigns from her job upon her marriage and her new role is to keep house for her husband and presumably, to become a mother when nature takes its course. This is not a role Elsie seems to adapt to or even seems suited to but at the time, it was the only role really available to her. It was what was expected – she also had to socialise with the wives of her husband’s work colleagues, joining knitting circles and bringing baked goods.

The house next door at first appears abandoned but one day Elsie spots a face in the window. It’s resident is reclusive, but slowly she and Elsie establish a friendship that will change all of their lives….in many ways.

This book is so hard to review. I loved it – more than I expected to and it took me a little while to realise that I was going to love it. I wasn’t sure that I was going to like the direction but the author completely surprised me with the way it went and I found it really interesting. I spent a lot of time internally debating things with myself. This is the perfect book for a book club and would be great to discuss with people but it makes it very hard to review because there’s lots I could talk about but I don’t want to for fear of spoiling things.

It’s set in the past and in a small country town and so there’s a completely different set of rules and societal regulations to consider, most of which are no longer applicable in this day and age but there’s definitely some that will still cause raised eyebrows, gossip and probable ostracisation. The way in which this book deals with those issues, in a time where it would be even more cause for local concern, is both sensitive and thorough. All of the characters wonder about what they are embarking on, how it affects other people, how it affects themselves. There’s a lot of thoughtful consideration, some back and forth but in the end, what they are doing is right for them without harming anyone. And that’s an interesting way to look on it that challenged my own thoughts and feelings on such things. I’m not particularly conservative, or at least I don’t think I am and reading this book made me examine that about myself. And come to some new conclusions on things.

That’s all very vague I know but I really did enjoy this book. It’s complex but not complicated, well written and really engaging. It’s quite a decent sized book but it never feels that way. The beginning of it sucks you in and makes you think hey, what’s going on, how did that happen? It’s set in the present day, some 50 years from when Thomas and Elsie marry and move into their new home, and then takes you back to ‘fill in the blanks’ so to speak. It makes you want to know more and get stuck into how this happened in such a time in such a place. There’s also a lot of looking at the choices or lack thereof that were available to women in the past and how they were somewhat helpless or reliant on men. Men made their decisions, kept them clothed and fed and quite often, exerted their will by force whether that be physical or not. This book definitely has women that were forced to accept the roles and rules enforced upon them by men but who also challenged them in different ways and were able to take what they wanted and what made them happy.

**A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review

[J.M. Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when society can't accept the way you live your life? And you have to keep it secret to stay safe? The small town of Gawler in the 1960s was a traditional and conventional place, so when Thomas and Elsie Mullet befriend the young lady next door, they can't imagine where this relationship will lead.

Spanning fifty years, this story puts the compelling lead characters into thought-provoking situations as their unconventional family begins, then grows and changes. Lock does an excellent job of invoking the times and places, such as the Mullet's new starter home in the suburbs, along with the attitudes and norms of the day.

Lock has a beautiful writing style and some of her phrases stayed with me after the book was finished.

'The Three of Us' is essentially a love story - a gentle and thoughtful love story where you care about the characters and you will them to prevail. In the current climate of 'love is love', this novel resonates.

[Julie Dugong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Kims latest book. The story had me from start to finish and I couldn't put it down. Its a great read.

[Carol Seeley Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My View:
Subtle, gentle and topical, this book has something to offer all discerning readers. It is a powerful love story, an optimistic read. It is also a historical novel, an Australian study of domestic life in the conservative suburbs in the 1960’s; a time that saw the middle class boom and the slow beginnings of the equal rights movement for women. Fifty years on and the author reminds us that there are still some barriers that need to be broken.

Kim Lock has cannily crafted a narrative that subtly exposes our prejudices and highlights some of the historical social injustices that have impacted and influenced Australian society.

This book has all the emotions though is not in any way melodramatic, subtleness is its strength.

Thought provoking scenarios and engaging, realistic characters dictate that this is a novel that will be revered, enjoyed and cherished.

[Jenn J McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Depending on who you are, this story may be shocking, or it may simply be a beautiful story about life and love, friendship and devotion. This is the first Kim Local novel for me and I have to say her writing style is beautiful, soulful and easy. Read it in one sitting, or in two (as I did), or fit it around your day. It’s that kind of book - one that demands nothing of you but an open heart and mind.

[Lee Kofman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this rare novel that describes a non-monogamous relationship without sensationalising it, with great sensitivity. Regardless of the theme, artistically this is a terrific book, full of vivid details and nuanced humour. The story is gripping. I highly recommend, and especially if you're interested in ethical non-monogamy.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engrossing and unexpected read whose cover and blurb did not reflect the storyline.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read from Kim Lock. The best yet! The Three of Us focuses on love, tenderness, and acceptance in a way rarely seen. The characters are real and fleshy; their interactions genuine and relatable.
Kim Lock just goes from strength to strength, and I dare anyone to pick this up and not be moved by it.

[Ben Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I begin my review, a big thanks to the author for nagging her publishers into making this available in Canada.

This book was an utter delight, from start to finish. The story of a husband and wife who fall in love with another woman and how they spend their lives together, it is not a story of melodramatic explosions. It's a quiet, thoughtful tale that manages to both explore the changing mores of Australia over five decades, and also explore the lives of closeted polyamorous people. This isn't a book about jealousy or sex or any of the other things people would normally associate with polyamory, but the little things, like the feeling you're not including a partner, raising kids, and all the tiny little threads that make up the tapestry of life.

Look, I'm not a weepy guy, but I think the author owes me a few bucks for tissues used up during this read.

This book was fantastic! Highly recommended!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book to earn five stars from me, it has to be extraordinary - and this one was. To tell exactly what it's about would be to give away the story, but it's the story of an unconventional marriage and family told from the 1950s to the present. The book is set in Gawler, South Australia, although the references are fairly vague. Nevertheless, the author creates a marvellous sense of place and the location supports the story. It's the characters that were so well crafted and hugely likeable, despite their unusual situation. I became very emotionally attached to them, so when the book came to an end that was unexpected and exquisitely touching, I lay it down on my lap and felt a tear roll down my cheek. Few books move me that way. The opening chapter, which is the narrative of a dying man reflecting on his life, suggests the ending will be sad, but it isn't. Sad is not the thing that moved me to tears. Read it and find out for yourself!

This is the second book by Kim Lock I've read. The first, Like I Can Love, I gave four stars. I am now eager to read her other books.

[Sheryl Maree Akintola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully amazing story!

I can't describe how beautiful this story is! I started reading and had to force myself to stop.... the story wasn't at all what I was expecting and if asked, I couldn't tell others without doing a disservice - one of the most beautiful books I've ever read!!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When seventy-five-year-old Thomas Mullet reluctantly sits on his psychologist’s couch, he discloses three things:
• He is dying.
• His wife doesn’t know.
• Nor does his other wife

What the! I definitely had to read this to find out more. It didn’t turn into a cheating premise but a pleasant romance. I ended up enjoying it

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this book - as I have each of Kim Lock's novels - my attention kept wandering in the second half and it took a lot longer to read than it should have. I admit I also struggled with the societal attitudes towards women and relationships in the 60s and 70s, but do understand that was kind of the whole point of the story.

[Rebecca Freeborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a gorgeous book. It would be easy to over-dramatise such a topic, but Kim Lock shows restraint, subtlety and nuance without ever being overly sentimental. The ending left me in tears.

[Wendy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely gentle read with intriguing and delicately-treated subject matter. I particularly loved the poetically accurate description of a mother's let-down reflex.

[Cheryl Sadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique storyline, written with compassion and love. This is the second Kim Lock novel I’ve read, both excellent. I’m definitely going to read her others.

[Jen]

DNF- I have really liked this author’s other work so bought this audiobook with an Audible credit. The story has fizzled out for me though and I have lost interest in finishing it.

[Kerrie Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written unconventional love story. It's a great journey through Australia's culture and attitude over the decades in which it's set. Must read!!

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing and believable novel set near Gawler, South Australia, following the relationships which develop between neighbours.

[Emma Repacholi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kims books just get better and better. A great read on what happens behind closed doors. Your normal doesn't have to be everyones normal. A great book in which I can see a great movie translate. Looking forward to the next book.