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The Homestead on the River
An unforgettable tale of love, loss and betrayal from an exciting new Australian voice in historical fiction. In stark contrast to her own childhood during the last days of the Raj in India, the spectacular beauty surrounding their home, Rathgarven in Ireland has proven to be a happy place for Kathleen O'Sullivan and her husband, James, to raise their four children. But Kathleen is no stranger to heartbreak, and when the family is faced with losing everything, she knows they will need to adapt to survive. Even if that means leaving their beloved home and moving to Australia to start afresh.
Lillie O'Sullivan knows that her mother and father haven't been entirely truthful about the reasons for their move to Australia. But as they settle into their new home in rural New South Wales she is willing to give it a chance. That is, until the secrets her parents have kept for so long finally catch up with them.
Secrets that have the power to destroy their family and ruin their future.
From the vibrant colours of India to the meadows of Ireland to the harsh but beautiful Australian land, a family fights for their future.
'A heartwarming novel ... a welcome addition to the genre.' - J.H. Fletcher, bestselling Australian author
Lillie O'Sullivan knows that her mother and father haven't been entirely truthful about the reasons for their move to Australia. But as they settle into their new home in rural New South Wales she is willing to give it a chance. That is, until the secrets her parents have kept for so long finally catch up with them.
Secrets that have the power to destroy their family and ruin their future.
From the vibrant colours of India to the meadows of Ireland to the harsh but beautiful Australian land, a family fights for their future.
'A heartwarming novel ... a welcome addition to the genre.' - J.H. Fletcher, bestselling Australian author
- GenresHistorical Fiction
512 pages, Paperback
Published January 29, 2019
9 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Mackenzie
3 books7 followersRosie Mackenzie was born in Tipperary and moved to Australia when she was seven years old. Over the years she has returned many times to Ireland. After a successful business career in Tasmania she now enjoys spending her time writing, sailing and with her family. She and her husband, Rob Peterswald have published five photographic coffee table books on sailing, seafood and wine together. She has adopted the pen name Rosie Mackenzie for her historical fiction to honour her late mother. When not in Australia, she and Rob are on their boat exploring the world. Much of Rosie's writing is done on board.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 13, 2019
An okay family saga, set in the 60's in rural New South Wales. The O'Sullivan family have been forced to relinquish their family home in Ireland and travel to Australia to take up a position with a family friend on a horse stud. This follows their story over several years, their loves, lies and betrayals, where secrets have a way of catching up with you.
I did quite like this book, it was easy to read and enjoyable, but tended to ramble on a bit too long. Some scenes the author drew out a little too much, trying to build suspense I suppose, but they tended to be annoying and I was wishing she would simply get to the point. Other scenes were just awkward. Yet the characters were warm and believable for the most part, though I would have liked more of the horses in the storyline. All in all not a bad novel, but I think at over 500 pages it was too long.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I did quite like this book, it was easy to read and enjoyable, but tended to ramble on a bit too long. Some scenes the author drew out a little too much, trying to build suspense I suppose, but they tended to be annoying and I was wishing she would simply get to the point. Other scenes were just awkward. Yet the characters were warm and believable for the most part, though I would have liked more of the horses in the storyline. All in all not a bad novel, but I think at over 500 pages it was too long.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2019
What a debut story this one was for me, I could hardly put it down, there is a little intrigue that called to me and the strong characters, and the harshness that can be life on the land whether it be Ireland or Australia, yes it is a long story but one that called to me, one that I loved.
Kathleen grows up in India and times are hard during World War 2, there is heartbreaking loss of lives and then a new future in Ireland at the beautiful Rathgarven in County Kerry with her husband James O’Sullivan and their four children Ronan, Lillie, Marcus and Freddie, but betrayal and life in Ireland at the time push the family to make a move across the world to Eureka Station Australia, a horse stud in New South Wales, owned by close friend Finn Maloney, but when they get there more heartbreak awaits them. It is now the 1960’s and life throws a lot more at them as this family moves on with life.
Ronan and Lillie the eldest two children and they struggle with life at first but soon settle in to their new schools and discovering life in Australia, it is not long before a family friend comes to stay and love starts to grow, but this brings out more lies and hurt for the family, and the intrigue continues, the Vietnam War brings more hurt and heartbreak to this family and they had a lot to contend with and they showed their strength over and over.
This was a very moving story for me, I really fell for all of the O’Sullivan family and what they went through, they were strong no matter what came at them, the betrayal and lies and loss bought heartache to them all, but in the end things work out and life moved on. This is a story that I highly recommend, yes it is a long one, but I loved the settings and the journey that this family has and there were some beautiful HEA’s.
Kathleen grows up in India and times are hard during World War 2, there is heartbreaking loss of lives and then a new future in Ireland at the beautiful Rathgarven in County Kerry with her husband James O’Sullivan and their four children Ronan, Lillie, Marcus and Freddie, but betrayal and life in Ireland at the time push the family to make a move across the world to Eureka Station Australia, a horse stud in New South Wales, owned by close friend Finn Maloney, but when they get there more heartbreak awaits them. It is now the 1960’s and life throws a lot more at them as this family moves on with life.
Ronan and Lillie the eldest two children and they struggle with life at first but soon settle in to their new schools and discovering life in Australia, it is not long before a family friend comes to stay and love starts to grow, but this brings out more lies and hurt for the family, and the intrigue continues, the Vietnam War brings more hurt and heartbreak to this family and they had a lot to contend with and they showed their strength over and over.
This was a very moving story for me, I really fell for all of the O’Sullivan family and what they went through, they were strong no matter what came at them, the betrayal and lies and loss bought heartache to them all, but in the end things work out and life moved on. This is a story that I highly recommend, yes it is a long one, but I loved the settings and the journey that this family has and there were some beautiful HEA’s.
March 29, 2019
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3.5 stars
A future wrapped up in a new but harsh land, love, betrayal and secrets form The Homestead on the River by Rosie Mackenzie. A sprawling family saga that crosses India, Ireland and Australia, the vibrant colours of three different continents define this new novel from an up and coming Australian writer.
There is nothing better than putting your feet up and relaxing with a grandiose family saga, sprawling over five hundred pages. The Homestead on the River is a solid example of a rich, complex and diverse family based saga, with a distinct Australian touch. Readers will find that The Homestead on the River is a great escapist and immersive style read, carrying you away from continent to continent, in the not too distant past.
I loved the opening prologue based in 1945, Calcutta. It was a great hook, that initially reeled me in and it solidified my early interest in this novel. I also enjoyed the early sequences set in County Kerry, Ireland. Although these locales are vastly different, there was an overwhelming sense of place that emanated from the pages of this book.
‘She turned and walked back along the jetty and into the meadow dotted with daisies and buttercups. For a moment she stopped and gazed up at the gabled house of pale grey stone with its wide French windows and the conservatory on the southern side, where thankfully the curtain was still drawn. The late-afternoon sun shone softly across the facade, coating it with a golden tinge. A shudder passed through Kathleen. Rathgarven had been the home of O’Sullivans for generations.’
Likewise, when the book moves to Australia, a strong shape of our continent begins to form and I appreciated this aspect of The Homestead on the River very much. I loved seeing Australia from the lens of a newcomer.
‘Lillie thought how different the countryside was to the rich green fields of Kerry, where the roads were so narrow and steep, winding through towering mountains, bogs, stony fields and thick woods. Stone walls and hedgerows would block the sight of many of the fields close to the road. Here she could see miles of flat land and barbed-wire fences instead of walls. And there were millions of gum trees; some of them looked as though their trunks had been painted white and others black. The blossoms on the wattle trees were bright yellow, not unlike the colour of the gorse at home.’
In terms of characterisation, Rosie Mackenzie has a firm handle on her cast. I did warm to Lillie and I enjoyed following her journey. The list of protagonists featured in The Homestead on the River is quite wide and there were times where I felt like they were slipping out of my reach. Luckily, my connection to Lillie overruled this and I felt a little more at ease. The back stories that follow the colourful characters in this novel was full of intrigue, speculation, concealment, loss, love, endurance, fresh starts and hope. More than enough to keep a busy reader on their toes!
The 1960s based setting was handled remarkably well. My own grandparents immigrated to Australia from the UK, just a few years after the O’Sullivan family left Ireland for different reasons, but I was able to make some parallels. I am sure this aspect of the story will draw readers in and allow many to cast their memories back to the nostalgia of the 1960s.
Rosie Mackenzie does draw her story out, so that the final reveal of the main family mystery occurs late in the piece. The parting moment of The Homestead on the River, ‘the road had turned another corner’ is full of promise. The audience is able to see that the characters in the book have come full circle and have been left stronger from the experience. Ambitious Australian fiction fans will delight in this five hundred page saga from newcomer Rosie Mackenzie.
‘Her parents had trod a long, hard road in the seven years since they had left Rathgarven for Australia.’
The Homestead on the River is book #41 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
3.5 stars
A future wrapped up in a new but harsh land, love, betrayal and secrets form The Homestead on the River by Rosie Mackenzie. A sprawling family saga that crosses India, Ireland and Australia, the vibrant colours of three different continents define this new novel from an up and coming Australian writer.
There is nothing better than putting your feet up and relaxing with a grandiose family saga, sprawling over five hundred pages. The Homestead on the River is a solid example of a rich, complex and diverse family based saga, with a distinct Australian touch. Readers will find that The Homestead on the River is a great escapist and immersive style read, carrying you away from continent to continent, in the not too distant past.
I loved the opening prologue based in 1945, Calcutta. It was a great hook, that initially reeled me in and it solidified my early interest in this novel. I also enjoyed the early sequences set in County Kerry, Ireland. Although these locales are vastly different, there was an overwhelming sense of place that emanated from the pages of this book.
‘She turned and walked back along the jetty and into the meadow dotted with daisies and buttercups. For a moment she stopped and gazed up at the gabled house of pale grey stone with its wide French windows and the conservatory on the southern side, where thankfully the curtain was still drawn. The late-afternoon sun shone softly across the facade, coating it with a golden tinge. A shudder passed through Kathleen. Rathgarven had been the home of O’Sullivans for generations.’
Likewise, when the book moves to Australia, a strong shape of our continent begins to form and I appreciated this aspect of The Homestead on the River very much. I loved seeing Australia from the lens of a newcomer.
‘Lillie thought how different the countryside was to the rich green fields of Kerry, where the roads were so narrow and steep, winding through towering mountains, bogs, stony fields and thick woods. Stone walls and hedgerows would block the sight of many of the fields close to the road. Here she could see miles of flat land and barbed-wire fences instead of walls. And there were millions of gum trees; some of them looked as though their trunks had been painted white and others black. The blossoms on the wattle trees were bright yellow, not unlike the colour of the gorse at home.’
In terms of characterisation, Rosie Mackenzie has a firm handle on her cast. I did warm to Lillie and I enjoyed following her journey. The list of protagonists featured in The Homestead on the River is quite wide and there were times where I felt like they were slipping out of my reach. Luckily, my connection to Lillie overruled this and I felt a little more at ease. The back stories that follow the colourful characters in this novel was full of intrigue, speculation, concealment, loss, love, endurance, fresh starts and hope. More than enough to keep a busy reader on their toes!
The 1960s based setting was handled remarkably well. My own grandparents immigrated to Australia from the UK, just a few years after the O’Sullivan family left Ireland for different reasons, but I was able to make some parallels. I am sure this aspect of the story will draw readers in and allow many to cast their memories back to the nostalgia of the 1960s.
Rosie Mackenzie does draw her story out, so that the final reveal of the main family mystery occurs late in the piece. The parting moment of The Homestead on the River, ‘the road had turned another corner’ is full of promise. The audience is able to see that the characters in the book have come full circle and have been left stronger from the experience. Ambitious Australian fiction fans will delight in this five hundred page saga from newcomer Rosie Mackenzie.
‘Her parents had trod a long, hard road in the seven years since they had left Rathgarven for Australia.’
The Homestead on the River is book #41 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
February 17, 2019
A somewhat epic family saga spanning around the world, from Ireland to Australia and set in the 1960s. This tale centres around a family who have to give up their family estate in Ireland and are forced take up a new adventure in outback Australia.
Whilst it seems appealing, there is a lot going on with this book trying to do too much in my opinion. There is a large cast of characters with backstories to match, full of many dramas. However, few are dealt with in a way to engage the reader sufficiently despite the 500+ page reading. There really is not that much set in the last days of Raj, India which is rather disappointing - a cryptic prologue to try and engage the reader is about it. We then move to Ireland where the father loses the family estate which all seems rather unbelievable and out of character. There is this ‘mystery’ held over the reader for the entire book and it is not until the last 10% of the book that anything really happens with regards to a few key plot lines.
The story of two generations contains love and loss, secrets and betrayal with their impact upon many of the family members. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot on offer with this read, but I felt that a condensed version focused purely on certain characters would have produced a more engaging and in depth read - certain sections were just too simplistic with the writing lacking depth. It rambles on a bit with some passages and interactions either irrelevant or drawn out for far too long.
The characters are, however, relatable and engaging (although I did have a real problem with Lillie’s reaction to her shock twist towards the end, as once again it seemed out of character) as it sweeps over many drama filled moments 1960s style.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
Whilst it seems appealing, there is a lot going on with this book trying to do too much in my opinion. There is a large cast of characters with backstories to match, full of many dramas. However, few are dealt with in a way to engage the reader sufficiently despite the 500+ page reading. There really is not that much set in the last days of Raj, India which is rather disappointing - a cryptic prologue to try and engage the reader is about it. We then move to Ireland where the father loses the family estate which all seems rather unbelievable and out of character. There is this ‘mystery’ held over the reader for the entire book and it is not until the last 10% of the book that anything really happens with regards to a few key plot lines.
The story of two generations contains love and loss, secrets and betrayal with their impact upon many of the family members. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot on offer with this read, but I felt that a condensed version focused purely on certain characters would have produced a more engaging and in depth read - certain sections were just too simplistic with the writing lacking depth. It rambles on a bit with some passages and interactions either irrelevant or drawn out for far too long.
The characters are, however, relatable and engaging (although I did have a real problem with Lillie’s reaction to her shock twist towards the end, as once again it seemed out of character) as it sweeps over many drama filled moments 1960s style.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
April 7, 2019
A well written and engaging debut novel for Rosie MacKenzie.
A story of loss,love and betrayal following a family's journey from Ireland to outback Australia set in the 1960's.
I really enjoyed this story,although long winded at times there was an aspect of intrigue that had me continuing to turn each page.
I look forward to reading more from this Australian Author.
A story of loss,love and betrayal following a family's journey from Ireland to outback Australia set in the 1960's.
I really enjoyed this story,although long winded at times there was an aspect of intrigue that had me continuing to turn each page.
I look forward to reading more from this Australian Author.
February 12, 2023
A family saga set in India, Ireland and Australia.
March 25, 2019
Book blurb...
An unforgettable tale of love, loss and betrayal from an exciting new Australian voice in historical fiction.
In stark contrast to her own childhood during the last days of the Raj in India, the spectacular beauty surrounding their home, Rathgarven in Ireland has proven to be a happy place for Kathleen O'Sullivan and her husband, James, to raise their four children. But Kathleen is no stranger to heartbreak, and when the family is faced with losing everything, she knows they will need to adapt to survive. Even if that means leaving their beloved home and moving to Australia to start afresh.
Lillie O'Sullivan knows that her mother and father haven't been entirely truthful about the reasons for their move to Australia. But as they settle into their new home in rural New South Wales she is willing to give it a chance. That is, until the secrets her parents have kept for so long finally catch up with them.
Secrets that have the power to destroy their family and ruin their future.
From the vibrant colours of India to the meadows of Ireland to the harsh but beautiful Australian land, a family fights for their future.
My thoughts…
I loved the look of this family saga story, the title, the cover, the era. But the plotting failed to hold my attention for the duration. The most Interesting part for me was the family's move to Australia and the resulting struggle to survive.
I would have preferred the story focus more on the homestead on the river! I like my Australian fiction set in Australia. I felt the descriptions of Raj in India and the time in Rathgarven in Ireland, while important, dragged me away and I couldn’t wait to get back to the Australian story. This is a very personal comment. I’m sure many readers love the Irish threads. I found they slowed the pace - for me.
Overall, I was keen to follow the story of the family when they were in Australia and the plot was well thought out.
This review is also published on http://www.readroundoz.wordpress.com
An unforgettable tale of love, loss and betrayal from an exciting new Australian voice in historical fiction.
In stark contrast to her own childhood during the last days of the Raj in India, the spectacular beauty surrounding their home, Rathgarven in Ireland has proven to be a happy place for Kathleen O'Sullivan and her husband, James, to raise their four children. But Kathleen is no stranger to heartbreak, and when the family is faced with losing everything, she knows they will need to adapt to survive. Even if that means leaving their beloved home and moving to Australia to start afresh.
Lillie O'Sullivan knows that her mother and father haven't been entirely truthful about the reasons for their move to Australia. But as they settle into their new home in rural New South Wales she is willing to give it a chance. That is, until the secrets her parents have kept for so long finally catch up with them.
Secrets that have the power to destroy their family and ruin their future.
From the vibrant colours of India to the meadows of Ireland to the harsh but beautiful Australian land, a family fights for their future.
My thoughts…
I loved the look of this family saga story, the title, the cover, the era. But the plotting failed to hold my attention for the duration. The most Interesting part for me was the family's move to Australia and the resulting struggle to survive.
I would have preferred the story focus more on the homestead on the river! I like my Australian fiction set in Australia. I felt the descriptions of Raj in India and the time in Rathgarven in Ireland, while important, dragged me away and I couldn’t wait to get back to the Australian story. This is a very personal comment. I’m sure many readers love the Irish threads. I found they slowed the pace - for me.
Overall, I was keen to follow the story of the family when they were in Australia and the plot was well thought out.
This review is also published on http://www.readroundoz.wordpress.com
March 14, 2019
I really loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. Fabulous debut novel for Rosie MacKenzie.
There was a bit of everything in the book. Love, heartbreak, betrayal and so on. I loved how the different places were well described and I felt I was there at times. My mums family is from Ireland and it’s always somewhere I’ve wanted to go so reading about it was wonderful.
Rathgarven and Eureka Park sound like amazing places and I would love to visit them if they were real.
I think this book would make a great tv series and maybe one day it will.
Thank you Beauty and Lace and Harlequin Mira for the opportunity to read and review The Homestead on the River.
There was a bit of everything in the book. Love, heartbreak, betrayal and so on. I loved how the different places were well described and I felt I was there at times. My mums family is from Ireland and it’s always somewhere I’ve wanted to go so reading about it was wonderful.
Rathgarven and Eureka Park sound like amazing places and I would love to visit them if they were real.
I think this book would make a great tv series and maybe one day it will.
Thank you Beauty and Lace and Harlequin Mira for the opportunity to read and review The Homestead on the River.
February 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this novel. Took it on holiday and looked forward to any spare minute to be able to pick it up! Stayed up way too late not wanting to finish, which I think is always a good sign! I enjoyed the characters and locations and it has some great twists. I liked that it's a decent length, good value and more pages to enjoy!
July 24, 2025
As predictable as it was, I enjoyed this little family drama I picked up in the laundry of a campground. As an Australian married to an O’Sullivan, the fictional family was of intrigue, and the author’s note at the end had me wondering if there’s a connection between the author and my husband’s family.
September 1, 2025
This is an epic family saga that spans India, Ireland and Australia—an exceptional debut novel with well-developed characters. The O' Sullivan family leave their beloved Kenmare to start a new life with their dear friend Finn in Australia. Things do not always go as planned, and we have a tale of love, loss, betrayal, kindness, and hope.
February 25, 2019
A liesurely-paced historical fiction. A family moves to Australia after they lose their Irish ancestral home. But the past does not stay in the past and secrets finally come to the surface. Beautiful descriptions, a happy ending but somehow the characters did not fully interest me.
October 17, 2019
I loved this book. It was just what I needed, after I had read a book called Heritage; which upset me terribly. (Parts of which were about the Prisoner of war camps.....
A lovely read; imagining I was in Ireland then up North of Australia.
Beautifully written.
Thank you Rosie Mackenzie
A lovely read; imagining I was in Ireland then up North of Australia.
Beautifully written.
Thank you Rosie Mackenzie
March 3, 2024
This book takes you across many locations and generations of family. Love complexities, family expectations, lies and friendships take the reader on a wild journey with shocks then relief and hope. Great book and one you can't put down.
May 9, 2019
4 & 1/2 stars
May 19, 2021
Loved this book - so hard to put down.
Such a great story about family, love and hardship and surviving it all
Highly recommend
Such a great story about family, love and hardship and surviving it all
Highly recommend
January 1, 2020
The tribulations of a family who survive intact.
I have sympathy for the author, who obviously put a lot of work into this book, but I can’t muster much that is good to say about it. I persevered to the end, although was a hard read, being very unevenly paced and too long. Trivial moments in great detail, followed by a one paragraph round up of major happenings. A more experienced team would have published a book which was half the length, with the very convoluted plot twist made more palatable. The woman on the edges of the story who caused most of the problems needed to be fleshed out more. And unimportant daily activities which did not propel the plot could have been cut.
I have sympathy for the author, who obviously put a lot of work into this book, but I can’t muster much that is good to say about it. I persevered to the end, although was a hard read, being very unevenly paced and too long. Trivial moments in great detail, followed by a one paragraph round up of major happenings. A more experienced team would have published a book which was half the length, with the very convoluted plot twist made more palatable. The woman on the edges of the story who caused most of the problems needed to be fleshed out more. And unimportant daily activities which did not propel the plot could have been cut.
February 1, 2019
A fascinating book which contrasts the gentility of Irish gentry with the Australian bush. I loved the twists
and turns. The strength of the characters is beautiful.
and turns. The strength of the characters is beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews