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Welcome to Nowhere River
Long past its heyday and deep in drought, the riverside hamlet of Nowhere River is slowly fading into a ghost town. It’s a place populated by those who are beholden to it, those who were born to it and those who took a wrong turn while trying to go somewhere else.
City-born Carra married into Nowhere River, Lucie was brought to it by tragedy, Josie is root-bound and Florence knows nowhere else. All of them, though familiar with every inch of their tiny hometown, are as lost as the place itself.
The town’s social cornerstone — St Margery’s Ladies’ Club — launches a rescue plan that turns everything around and upside down, then shakes it until all sorts of things come floating to the surface. And none of its inhabitants will ever be the same again.
This is the highly original and heartfelt story of a place where everybody knows everything, but no one really knows anyone at all. Brimming with heart and humour, this is a delightful novel that celebrates the country people and towns of Australia.
City-born Carra married into Nowhere River, Lucie was brought to it by tragedy, Josie is root-bound and Florence knows nowhere else. All of them, though familiar with every inch of their tiny hometown, are as lost as the place itself.
The town’s social cornerstone — St Margery’s Ladies’ Club — launches a rescue plan that turns everything around and upside down, then shakes it until all sorts of things come floating to the surface. And none of its inhabitants will ever be the same again.
This is the highly original and heartfelt story of a place where everybody knows everything, but no one really knows anyone at all. Brimming with heart and humour, this is a delightful novel that celebrates the country people and towns of Australia.
377 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2021
40 people are currently reading
627 people want to read
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March 25, 2021
Centred on the small (fictional) town of Nowhere River in the Tasmanian Highlands, Welcome to Nowhere River is a charming novel from Meg Bignell about family, friendship and community.
In a bid to revive the standards of the Nowhere River township, affected by drought and a dwindling population, the imperious president of the St Margery’s Ladies’ Club announces a contest. The member who conceives of, and develops the most effective idea to revitalise the riverside village (while upholding a standard of decorum) will be crowned Miss Fresh & Lovely, and win $100,000. With such high stakes, the competition has no shortage of entrants and soon the community is a hive of activity as plans are put into action.
“Everyone knows everyone, but no one knows anyone at all.”
Among the residents vying for the crown are three women who are central to the novel - Carra, her mother-in-law Lucie, and local farmer, Josie. Each have their own reasons for entering the competition, but all are distracted by personal issues. Carra, married to Nowhere River’s local golden boy, Duncan, and the mother of infant twins, is overwhelmed and unhappy. Lucie’s grief for her young daughter who went missing in Nowhere River decades before, resurfaces; and the viability of Josie’s family farm, already struggling due to drought, is further threatened. I enjoyed getting to know these well crafted characters, I empathised with their challenges, and wished the best for them all.
Welcome To Nowhere River also has a lively raft of supporting characters, including eccentrics like the elderly Cliffity, who collects gnomes and ferrets, and the grumpy grocery store owners, the Pfaff’s. I delighted in getting to know the members of this community, aided by snippets from Lucie’s Miss Fresh & Lovely project interviews with a dozen or so residents. Fair warning, there a few with a mouth on them, but mostly they should make you laugh with their very Australian turn of phrases. Living in a country town myself (beside a river no less) I found the dynamics of the community familiar, especially in regards to the importance of the Show to the town, and in what is a rather extraordinary coincidence, (MINOR SPOILER) this week (March 2021) my town was ravaged by flood, just as Nowhere River is.
“It always amazes me...how there are no secrets in this town, but so many mysteries.”
While Welcome To Nowhere River is largely a character-driven story, there is a thread of poignant mystery in relation to the fate of Lucie’s missing daughter. There are also some twists as the story unfolds, and some surprises in the epilogue.
Written with warmth and humour, celebrating character and community spirit, I found Welcome to Nowhere River to be a delightful read, much as I did Meg Bignell’s debut novel, The Sparkle Pages. I’m already looking forward to her next.
In a bid to revive the standards of the Nowhere River township, affected by drought and a dwindling population, the imperious president of the St Margery’s Ladies’ Club announces a contest. The member who conceives of, and develops the most effective idea to revitalise the riverside village (while upholding a standard of decorum) will be crowned Miss Fresh & Lovely, and win $100,000. With such high stakes, the competition has no shortage of entrants and soon the community is a hive of activity as plans are put into action.
“Everyone knows everyone, but no one knows anyone at all.”
Among the residents vying for the crown are three women who are central to the novel - Carra, her mother-in-law Lucie, and local farmer, Josie. Each have their own reasons for entering the competition, but all are distracted by personal issues. Carra, married to Nowhere River’s local golden boy, Duncan, and the mother of infant twins, is overwhelmed and unhappy. Lucie’s grief for her young daughter who went missing in Nowhere River decades before, resurfaces; and the viability of Josie’s family farm, already struggling due to drought, is further threatened. I enjoyed getting to know these well crafted characters, I empathised with their challenges, and wished the best for them all.
Welcome To Nowhere River also has a lively raft of supporting characters, including eccentrics like the elderly Cliffity, who collects gnomes and ferrets, and the grumpy grocery store owners, the Pfaff’s. I delighted in getting to know the members of this community, aided by snippets from Lucie’s Miss Fresh & Lovely project interviews with a dozen or so residents. Fair warning, there a few with a mouth on them, but mostly they should make you laugh with their very Australian turn of phrases. Living in a country town myself (beside a river no less) I found the dynamics of the community familiar, especially in regards to the importance of the Show to the town, and in what is a rather extraordinary coincidence, (MINOR SPOILER) this week (March 2021) my town was ravaged by flood, just as Nowhere River is.
“It always amazes me...how there are no secrets in this town, but so many mysteries.”
While Welcome To Nowhere River is largely a character-driven story, there is a thread of poignant mystery in relation to the fate of Lucie’s missing daughter. There are also some twists as the story unfolds, and some surprises in the epilogue.
Written with warmth and humour, celebrating character and community spirit, I found Welcome to Nowhere River to be a delightful read, much as I did Meg Bignell’s debut novel, The Sparkle Pages. I’m already looking forward to her next.
March 10, 2021
4.5 Stars. Nowhere River is a country town located in the Tasmanian Central Highlands. Caroline (Carra) is the newest resident of Nowhere River after she marries the local doctor, Duncan. Carra finds herself stuck at home with twin babies and starts to doubt her relationship and decision to move away from Hobart. Deep in a drought, Nowhere River's eccentric townspeople are also struggling with there own ups and downs. Duncan's family are still haunted by the disappearance of his sister many years before and Carra's friend Josie struggles to keep her family farm afloat. Can the community pull together to keep the crumbling town alive? With thanks to Better Reading for my ARC of Meg Bignell's novel.
March 16, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Welcome to Nowhere River is a book that oozes with community spirit, togetherness, kindness, acceptance and restoration. Set in the small fictional Tasmanian town of Nowhere River, Meg Bignell’s second novel traces the lives and general happenings of the folk that live in this quaint Australian locale. Embracing and comforting, Welcome to Nowhere River is a book that holds universal appeal.
The forgotten little township of Nowhere River is a place that has been struck by a huge downtown in its population and economy due to drought. The impact is felt deep by the residents of Nowhere River. While the residents of this gentle township are determined to save their beautiful riverside community, they don’t know what the future holds. As the story progresses the reader is acquainted with many long standing community members of Nowhere River and those who have come to the township for alternative reasons. But many of the residents of Nowhere River have broken dreams and unfulfilled goals and as the town grows stale so do they. However, the Nowhere River township are determined to ensure that their community stays afloat. In response, the people of Nowhere River devise a scheme to save they beloved town, but in putting this plan into place it will test this little community in unimaginable ways. In a place where everyone is aware of each other’s issues, the people of Nowhere River will learn even more about their neighbours in this touching tribute to Australian small-town communities.
Marta Dusseldorp, one of my favourite Australian actresses has endorsed Meg Bignell’s second contemporary fiction release, Welcome to Nowhere River. This celebrity backing enticed me to read Meg Bignell’s new novel even more after I fell in love with the stunning cover. I loved the strong Australian feel cover which is adorned with eyecatching local fauna and flora. The cover design certainly seduced me into pushing this one to the top of my review pile.
I enjoyed the structure of Welcome to Nowhere River, it was quite unique. Each chapter is carefully closed off with an enlightening interview with a significant member of the Nowhere River community. I looked forward to seeing who I would meet and what their respective life story in connection to Nowhere River would be as each chapter reached its climax. I think this was a special touch that made Welcome to Nowhere River a one of a kind novel in my eyes. We also follow a number of keynote characters and their backgrounds vary in terms of life experiences, tragedies and setbacks. There is a strong feeling of nostalgia, regret and lost dreams to this story, but there also sense of resolve that follows the cast of Meg Bignell’s novel. The characters are a great bunch to get to know and I did feel a sense of empathy for many of them, along with their situations. Meg Bignell adds plenty of realism and understanding to her protagonists which helps to make this book a very easygoing read. The balance of hard issues with humour also ensures that the reader feels completely at home with this novel for the duration.
For me the winning element of Welcome to Nowhere River was the quintessential Aussie setting base. I have a keen interest in anything set in Tasmania – I truly love the place, so any opportunity to visit this wonderful part of our country via the pages of an engaging novel really worked for me. The vivid impressions provided by the author, thanks to her location based prose allowed me to picture Nowhere River perfectly. I also felt that the sense of community was captured well by Meg Bignell. This is a real ‘we are all in this together’ style novel and I could hear the words of this moving song playing in my head throughout! It was humbling to see this community pitch their ideas and resources together to salvage their beloved town. Welcome to Nowhere River is a book that inspires a strong sense of civic duty and responsibility, which is a great direction for a novel. The touching epilogue was absolutely fitting too.
It was a pleasurable experience to be in the company of the folk of Nowhere River, thanks to Meg Bignell’s new novel. Welcome to Nowhere River is a story that reminds us of the importance of dreaming big, laughing as much as you can and reaching out to connect with your community fold.
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Welcome to Nowhere River is book #19 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Welcome to Nowhere River is a book that oozes with community spirit, togetherness, kindness, acceptance and restoration. Set in the small fictional Tasmanian town of Nowhere River, Meg Bignell’s second novel traces the lives and general happenings of the folk that live in this quaint Australian locale. Embracing and comforting, Welcome to Nowhere River is a book that holds universal appeal.
The forgotten little township of Nowhere River is a place that has been struck by a huge downtown in its population and economy due to drought. The impact is felt deep by the residents of Nowhere River. While the residents of this gentle township are determined to save their beautiful riverside community, they don’t know what the future holds. As the story progresses the reader is acquainted with many long standing community members of Nowhere River and those who have come to the township for alternative reasons. But many of the residents of Nowhere River have broken dreams and unfulfilled goals and as the town grows stale so do they. However, the Nowhere River township are determined to ensure that their community stays afloat. In response, the people of Nowhere River devise a scheme to save they beloved town, but in putting this plan into place it will test this little community in unimaginable ways. In a place where everyone is aware of each other’s issues, the people of Nowhere River will learn even more about their neighbours in this touching tribute to Australian small-town communities.
Marta Dusseldorp, one of my favourite Australian actresses has endorsed Meg Bignell’s second contemporary fiction release, Welcome to Nowhere River. This celebrity backing enticed me to read Meg Bignell’s new novel even more after I fell in love with the stunning cover. I loved the strong Australian feel cover which is adorned with eyecatching local fauna and flora. The cover design certainly seduced me into pushing this one to the top of my review pile.
I enjoyed the structure of Welcome to Nowhere River, it was quite unique. Each chapter is carefully closed off with an enlightening interview with a significant member of the Nowhere River community. I looked forward to seeing who I would meet and what their respective life story in connection to Nowhere River would be as each chapter reached its climax. I think this was a special touch that made Welcome to Nowhere River a one of a kind novel in my eyes. We also follow a number of keynote characters and their backgrounds vary in terms of life experiences, tragedies and setbacks. There is a strong feeling of nostalgia, regret and lost dreams to this story, but there also sense of resolve that follows the cast of Meg Bignell’s novel. The characters are a great bunch to get to know and I did feel a sense of empathy for many of them, along with their situations. Meg Bignell adds plenty of realism and understanding to her protagonists which helps to make this book a very easygoing read. The balance of hard issues with humour also ensures that the reader feels completely at home with this novel for the duration.
For me the winning element of Welcome to Nowhere River was the quintessential Aussie setting base. I have a keen interest in anything set in Tasmania – I truly love the place, so any opportunity to visit this wonderful part of our country via the pages of an engaging novel really worked for me. The vivid impressions provided by the author, thanks to her location based prose allowed me to picture Nowhere River perfectly. I also felt that the sense of community was captured well by Meg Bignell. This is a real ‘we are all in this together’ style novel and I could hear the words of this moving song playing in my head throughout! It was humbling to see this community pitch their ideas and resources together to salvage their beloved town. Welcome to Nowhere River is a book that inspires a strong sense of civic duty and responsibility, which is a great direction for a novel. The touching epilogue was absolutely fitting too.
It was a pleasurable experience to be in the company of the folk of Nowhere River, thanks to Meg Bignell’s new novel. Welcome to Nowhere River is a story that reminds us of the importance of dreaming big, laughing as much as you can and reaching out to connect with your community fold.
*I wish to thank Penguin Books Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Welcome to Nowhere River is book #19 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
December 12, 2022
I couldn’t resist this one with such an eye catching cover. I love beautiful covers and yes I know you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but when I saw this one I’m pleased I did. Beautiful cover and a fabulous story with great characters and a wonderful setting all the things I love in a book. Highly recommended.
Read
February 25, 2021Warm, funny and with plenty of tug-on-the-heartstring moments, Welcome to Nowhere River will embrace you in a big, squishy hug.
April 10, 2021
I was wanting to like this book more than I did and I don't know why I didn't!!
January 1, 2026
Just a gorgeous, funny, poignant, laugh out loud example of Australian story telling at its best. Set in the tiny fictional town of Nowhere River in the Central Highlands of Tasmania, this little village brings us fabulous characters.
As a motivating town competition is started by the matriarchal figure, Patricia Montgomery, these characters challenge, compete, learn, educate, grow and thrive.
I loved it
As a motivating town competition is started by the matriarchal figure, Patricia Montgomery, these characters challenge, compete, learn, educate, grow and thrive.
I loved it
October 2, 2021
A really enjoyable tale about a small-town community in Tasmania. The characters are engaging & their eccentricities are entirely believable. The resolution of Cait's unhappiness was a slight detour from the usual & I enjoyed that too - not everything can be resolved to perfection.
Very easy to read & I'm tempted to give it 4.5* - I'll think about it.
Very easy to read & I'm tempted to give it 4.5* - I'll think about it.
April 12, 2022
Really enjoyed. Surprised me with how taken I was with the characters. Some great plots to keep you engaged
March 17, 2023
Gave up on this book, unfortunately.
May 3, 2021
I think a lot of people in Australia have known a town like Nowhere River, a fictional town in Tasmania which is struggling. Once a thriving community, the numbers have slowly dwindled due to many factors. The local show, which used to be the highlight for many, hasn’t been put on in years. The drought is impacting on the local farmers and it’s severe. The St Margery’s Ladies’ Club is facing its lowest ever numbers and so the President, a rather formidable lady, launches an initiative to both drive up membership as well as rejuvenate the town. Entrants must come up with and implement a project for a year and the winner will get $100,000 to both fund their idea ongoing as well as provide themselves with a stipend for time spent on it if it takes away from their regular paid work.
There are many entries, whittled down to a few considered to be promising. Each of the women behind the ideas have been brought to Nowhere River by different means and each of them are struggling with different challenges. For Lucie, she feels tied to Nowhere River by heartbreak, she can’t leave because of what she lost and her belief of hope or dream that it might somehow be returned to her. Lucie’s daughter-in-law Carra came to Nowhere River because she married the town’s dreamboat Duncan, the local GP and most eligible of bachelors before he chose Carra. Now a mother to 10 month old twins, she finds herself isolated and alone as her dedicated husband works his long hours and contributes almost nothing to parenting. For Florence, she was born here and at her tender age of 16, already knows that this place is in her blood and she wants to remain. If the family farm doesn’t improve in fortune, the choice may be taken away from her.
I really enjoyed this. It’s told from a variety of different perspectives by characters of differing ages: Lucie has a grown up son and is in a retirement-type of age, her daughter-in-law Carra is probably late twenties, Flo is still a teenager and her mother Josie around 40. Each of them have different issues, different things in their lives that they are dealing with. For Carra, it’s isolation, the monotony of taking care of her twins and doing so with very little assistance. The days all blur together as her husband rushes off from one commitment to another, doctoring to the entire town and lending his voice here and there, being the perfect son and community member. But for Carra, despite everyone telling her how lucky she is to be married to such a specimen, she’s not feeling it. Poor Carra! I honestly felt for her so much, she’s got very little in the way of friends in Nowhere River and the friend she did have she has let fall aside, due to the struggle of newborn twin life. A lot of people keep giving Carra postnatal depression quizzes and she seems to pass but honestly, Carra felt so in need of real, genuine help. She has a lot of lament for the life she envisaged for herself and spends time stalking someone she went to university with online who seems to be living the life Carra longs for. She wants fulfilment outside of nap time and washing and the never ending cycle of broken sleep. Lucie, her mother-in-law, has a very raw sort of grief, the sort that never goes away, the sort that one never recovers from. It leapt off the page, the hopelessness, guilt, agony and kind of frozen inability to really speak of it, the automatic hunching whenever it’s mentioned. I also really liked the character of Flo, who hasn’t let bullying and awful behaviour from her peers dampen her love of her home and her connection she feels to it. Flo goes through quite a lot in this book but she grows in strength and confidence, shouldering responsibility of something quite huge for her mother, when tragedy strikes and her mother’s attention is focused elsewhere.
The hot, dusty drought is something I don’t really associate that much with Tasmania, with how far south it is and how often you hear it rains. I loved the setting, the struggle to save the town, so many towns like this must be dotted around the country, once thriving but as society changes and evolves, there are less opportunities for the younger members, who leave for bigger cities to further their education, get jobs. People like Duncan return but there must be many who do not and sometimes, measures are needed such as the one here, to try and rejuvenate the town, create outside interest, bring people there once again. I also really loved the little interviews at the end of the chapter, for Lucie’s History project, which focused on the stories of people from the town, the ones from all walks of life. Those were really interesting and a fun little addition to the story, which fleshed out the town nicely.
A lovely read.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
There are many entries, whittled down to a few considered to be promising. Each of the women behind the ideas have been brought to Nowhere River by different means and each of them are struggling with different challenges. For Lucie, she feels tied to Nowhere River by heartbreak, she can’t leave because of what she lost and her belief of hope or dream that it might somehow be returned to her. Lucie’s daughter-in-law Carra came to Nowhere River because she married the town’s dreamboat Duncan, the local GP and most eligible of bachelors before he chose Carra. Now a mother to 10 month old twins, she finds herself isolated and alone as her dedicated husband works his long hours and contributes almost nothing to parenting. For Florence, she was born here and at her tender age of 16, already knows that this place is in her blood and she wants to remain. If the family farm doesn’t improve in fortune, the choice may be taken away from her.
I really enjoyed this. It’s told from a variety of different perspectives by characters of differing ages: Lucie has a grown up son and is in a retirement-type of age, her daughter-in-law Carra is probably late twenties, Flo is still a teenager and her mother Josie around 40. Each of them have different issues, different things in their lives that they are dealing with. For Carra, it’s isolation, the monotony of taking care of her twins and doing so with very little assistance. The days all blur together as her husband rushes off from one commitment to another, doctoring to the entire town and lending his voice here and there, being the perfect son and community member. But for Carra, despite everyone telling her how lucky she is to be married to such a specimen, she’s not feeling it. Poor Carra! I honestly felt for her so much, she’s got very little in the way of friends in Nowhere River and the friend she did have she has let fall aside, due to the struggle of newborn twin life. A lot of people keep giving Carra postnatal depression quizzes and she seems to pass but honestly, Carra felt so in need of real, genuine help. She has a lot of lament for the life she envisaged for herself and spends time stalking someone she went to university with online who seems to be living the life Carra longs for. She wants fulfilment outside of nap time and washing and the never ending cycle of broken sleep. Lucie, her mother-in-law, has a very raw sort of grief, the sort that never goes away, the sort that one never recovers from. It leapt off the page, the hopelessness, guilt, agony and kind of frozen inability to really speak of it, the automatic hunching whenever it’s mentioned. I also really liked the character of Flo, who hasn’t let bullying and awful behaviour from her peers dampen her love of her home and her connection she feels to it. Flo goes through quite a lot in this book but she grows in strength and confidence, shouldering responsibility of something quite huge for her mother, when tragedy strikes and her mother’s attention is focused elsewhere.
The hot, dusty drought is something I don’t really associate that much with Tasmania, with how far south it is and how often you hear it rains. I loved the setting, the struggle to save the town, so many towns like this must be dotted around the country, once thriving but as society changes and evolves, there are less opportunities for the younger members, who leave for bigger cities to further their education, get jobs. People like Duncan return but there must be many who do not and sometimes, measures are needed such as the one here, to try and rejuvenate the town, create outside interest, bring people there once again. I also really loved the little interviews at the end of the chapter, for Lucie’s History project, which focused on the stories of people from the town, the ones from all walks of life. Those were really interesting and a fun little addition to the story, which fleshed out the town nicely.
A lovely read.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
January 5, 2023
4.5 stars
Enjoyed this very much. A small town coming to terms with its past and questioning its future. Loved the ending - felt true to the characters.
Enjoyed this very much. A small town coming to terms with its past and questioning its future. Loved the ending - felt true to the characters.
August 26, 2024
3.5 Stars really - I love the way Meg Bignall writes. So easy to dive into her books. I preferred Angry Women’s Choir but this was a lovely, easy read - just what I needed at the time.
February 22, 2021
This was a lovely story, telling the tale of the various residents of the sleepy Tasmanian town of Nowhere River. There is a variety of the characters typical of a small town, and their stories are woven together with a background of a contest being run to revitalize the town. It is an easy reading story, worth a read for a book that doesn’t require too much concentration.
March 10, 2021
Thank you to Better Reading and Penguin Random House, Australia, for an ARC of this book by Aussie author, Meg Bignell.
I so enjoyed that this book was set in Tasmania, in a small rural town in the Central Highlands. My husband and I have holidayed in Tassie twice and really love the place. “Welcome to Nowhere River, the small town with big dreams”.
The author described this town with much detail and I could really picture it in my mind’s eye, and imagine I was actually there witnessing the events of the novel unfold. I liked the author drawing me in so that I became attached to Nowhere River and also to its population of wonderful characters. As in any community, there were the inevitable personality clashes, and some of the characters were not always lovable, but they were always realistic. I also really liked the way, at other times, the townspeople seemed to work together as a team to try and make sure that their town did not die out but adapted to change.
Most of the chapters ended with the short interviews that were conducted as part of Lucie’s “Nowhere People Stories” and I enjoyed reading them. They were such a diverse and unique blend of people.
The book had some quite funny moments, and I found myself chuckling away as I read – yet a few minutes later I would be on the brink of tears at some of the situations the various book characters had to contend with. Along with some unexpected twists this made me want to keep reading to find out how things would end up. The ending which was revealed in the author’s epilogue was different to how I thought it would be, but it was realistic in terms of the lost character of Carra truly finding herself and moving on with her life. If you are looking for a comfortable, relaxing read then I recommend this book to you. I gave the book 4 stars.
I so enjoyed that this book was set in Tasmania, in a small rural town in the Central Highlands. My husband and I have holidayed in Tassie twice and really love the place. “Welcome to Nowhere River, the small town with big dreams”.
The author described this town with much detail and I could really picture it in my mind’s eye, and imagine I was actually there witnessing the events of the novel unfold. I liked the author drawing me in so that I became attached to Nowhere River and also to its population of wonderful characters. As in any community, there were the inevitable personality clashes, and some of the characters were not always lovable, but they were always realistic. I also really liked the way, at other times, the townspeople seemed to work together as a team to try and make sure that their town did not die out but adapted to change.
Most of the chapters ended with the short interviews that were conducted as part of Lucie’s “Nowhere People Stories” and I enjoyed reading them. They were such a diverse and unique blend of people.
The book had some quite funny moments, and I found myself chuckling away as I read – yet a few minutes later I would be on the brink of tears at some of the situations the various book characters had to contend with. Along with some unexpected twists this made me want to keep reading to find out how things would end up. The ending which was revealed in the author’s epilogue was different to how I thought it would be, but it was realistic in terms of the lost character of Carra truly finding herself and moving on with her life. If you are looking for a comfortable, relaxing read then I recommend this book to you. I gave the book 4 stars.
April 26, 2021
Thank you to Penguin Australia for sending me a copy of this book to review!
Nowhere River is a small town in Tasmania that is way past its heyday and is starting to look and feel a bit bedraggled. When the president of St Margery’s Ladies’ Club announces a rescue plan competition for the town - with a sizable grant to the winner to assist getting their project off the ground, imaginations are ignited and competitive streaks are exposed until it seems the competition will bring more division than unity.
If you enjoy a small town community style book, there is much to enjoy about this book. I loved the sense of community and the different relationships between the townspeople in this book and I particularly liked the last paragraph of each chapter which was a snippet of an interview with each different character.
To be completely honest though, this book didn’t resonate with me as much as I would have liked. I personally found the writing style a little chaotic and haphazard, with a tell rather than show style, which left me not feeling much connection to the characters. However that is just a reflection of my personal preference in writing style, so I definitely think others would still enjoy the story. We all have different style preferences and with books there is always something for everybody! ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Nowhere River is a small town in Tasmania that is way past its heyday and is starting to look and feel a bit bedraggled. When the president of St Margery’s Ladies’ Club announces a rescue plan competition for the town - with a sizable grant to the winner to assist getting their project off the ground, imaginations are ignited and competitive streaks are exposed until it seems the competition will bring more division than unity.
If you enjoy a small town community style book, there is much to enjoy about this book. I loved the sense of community and the different relationships between the townspeople in this book and I particularly liked the last paragraph of each chapter which was a snippet of an interview with each different character.
To be completely honest though, this book didn’t resonate with me as much as I would have liked. I personally found the writing style a little chaotic and haphazard, with a tell rather than show style, which left me not feeling much connection to the characters. However that is just a reflection of my personal preference in writing style, so I definitely think others would still enjoy the story. We all have different style preferences and with books there is always something for everybody! ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
December 27, 2022
I literally loved this book so much!!! We all know that I have the softest of soft spots for books set in Australia, written by Australians; they just conjure up such a profound sense of familiarity and homeliness that I haven’t found in any other genre. This book took me on a deep dive into small town Australia - a setting I have such a sincere yet misplaced nostalgia for - and all the people who exist within it. It was wholesome, heartbreaking, moving and hilarious all at once, written with a fresh and brilliant voice. Definitely a new fav!
July 7, 2022
I fell in love with the characters of 'Nowhere River' instantly. A beautifully written book. A wonderful mix of love, family, community and heart break. I didn't want it to end - highly recommend.
May 23, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars.
Welcome to Nowhere River — a sleepy little riverside town that’s been all but forgotten — but look closer and you’ll find it’s brimming with eccentric, quirky, totally unforgettable characters.
Meg Bignell’s second novel will captivate your imagination, melt your heart and immerse you into a disarmingly charming town filled with big love, big dreams and plenty of community spirit.
Nowhere River is drought-stricken and fast becoming nothing more than a mere whisper in the parched landscape. The locals are tired and lost, unable to rediscover their purpose nor their way back to the bustling prosperity of the town’s heyday.
Carra Finlay is lost too. She finds herself married into the town by way of everyone’s favourite local-made-good hero, Dr Duncan Finlay. But St Margery’s Ladies’ Club is about to change everything, and the locals will never be the same again...
The exquisitely crafted characters have voices soaring with clever, witty individuality and unique personalities that will make you laugh, cry, scoff and praise as the story unfolds.
The gorgeous prose sings with the romantic nostalgia born of a love for small country towns and their locals. Welcome to Nowhere River awaits with open arms and home-baked adventures.
This was such a wonderful read, I highly recommend taking a trip to this charming little hamlet by the winding Nowhere River — it might be a fictitious town, but the memories it evokes, especially for someone like myself who grew up in a small country town, are very real indeed.
I adored the characters and found myself completely transported into their world. I felt so much empathy for Lucie, and I hoped that the lost but lovely Carra would eventually find her way... and she did, just not in the way that I’d anticipated.
This was a truly delightful ensemble cast of characters and each one had a beautiful story to share — it turns out all they needed was someone to take the time to listen while they told it.
As usual I want to thank Better Reading and Penguin Australia for the advanced reading copy of this book to review. I’m so grateful for your support and the opportunities to review upcoming books.
Have you read this beautiful book yet? If so, please share your thoughts, I’d love to hear them. Did you have a favourite character? Personally I really enjoyed Cliffity with his gnomes and ferrets!
Welcome to Nowhere River — a sleepy little riverside town that’s been all but forgotten — but look closer and you’ll find it’s brimming with eccentric, quirky, totally unforgettable characters.
Meg Bignell’s second novel will captivate your imagination, melt your heart and immerse you into a disarmingly charming town filled with big love, big dreams and plenty of community spirit.
Nowhere River is drought-stricken and fast becoming nothing more than a mere whisper in the parched landscape. The locals are tired and lost, unable to rediscover their purpose nor their way back to the bustling prosperity of the town’s heyday.
Carra Finlay is lost too. She finds herself married into the town by way of everyone’s favourite local-made-good hero, Dr Duncan Finlay. But St Margery’s Ladies’ Club is about to change everything, and the locals will never be the same again...
The exquisitely crafted characters have voices soaring with clever, witty individuality and unique personalities that will make you laugh, cry, scoff and praise as the story unfolds.
The gorgeous prose sings with the romantic nostalgia born of a love for small country towns and their locals. Welcome to Nowhere River awaits with open arms and home-baked adventures.
This was such a wonderful read, I highly recommend taking a trip to this charming little hamlet by the winding Nowhere River — it might be a fictitious town, but the memories it evokes, especially for someone like myself who grew up in a small country town, are very real indeed.
I adored the characters and found myself completely transported into their world. I felt so much empathy for Lucie, and I hoped that the lost but lovely Carra would eventually find her way... and she did, just not in the way that I’d anticipated.
This was a truly delightful ensemble cast of characters and each one had a beautiful story to share — it turns out all they needed was someone to take the time to listen while they told it.
As usual I want to thank Better Reading and Penguin Australia for the advanced reading copy of this book to review. I’m so grateful for your support and the opportunities to review upcoming books.
Have you read this beautiful book yet? If so, please share your thoughts, I’d love to hear them. Did you have a favourite character? Personally I really enjoyed Cliffity with his gnomes and ferrets!
April 12, 2025
📚: Small town, big personalities
📖: After loving ‘The Angry Women’s Choir’ and now equally adoring ‘Welcome to Nowhere River’ I think Meg Bignell is a master of ensemble casts. Each of the Nowhere River residents bought life, humour, dimension, conflict, history and depth to the towns makeup. I loved St Margery’s Ladies Clubs pompous president…I mean doesn’t everyone want to grow up to say lines like “Let’s not indulge in a panic of conjecture. It’s most unbecoming.”
Each of the character snapshots at the end of each chapter (snippets of Lucie’s Nowhere People history project) really made me laugh. The Aussie slang, the random names and hobbies, the outrageous attitudes and language! So much fun! I feel like I’ve met so many of these country people before.
Bignell is also becoming a favourite of mine in really truely capturing an authentic voice and experience of motherhood (especially early motherhood) where you are drowning in waves of overwhelm, pining for your old self, loneliness, self-doubt, invisibleness and true lack of society value. When main character Corra speaks up about this (after twins!!) she is cast as post natally depressed, ungrateful, hormonal and all other kinds of patronising, silencing and dismissive responses that continues the culture of ignoring women when they talk about their experiences. Bignell explores this tension with such insight, warmth, anger and frankness that I feel like she is giving words to my heart. Maybe if I lived in Tasmania we’d be friends. What a dream! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 4.5 stars
Note: I really think I didn’t give it five stars because I read Angry Women’s Choir first and LOVED that so much!
🎧: I adored the narration by Marta Dusseldorp. Loved loved loved it! Some of the characters voices made me laugh out loud! She added such wonderful colour to the already colourful residents of Nowhere River! It makes me want to go back and listen to the narration of Angry Women’s Choir…does Marta narrate this too!? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔁Similar to: Meg Bignell’s other novel The Angry Women’s Choir (town ensemble cast, humour and stress); The Last Illusion of Paige White (Insta comparing, small Australian town riverside living) by Vanessa McCausland.
📖: After loving ‘The Angry Women’s Choir’ and now equally adoring ‘Welcome to Nowhere River’ I think Meg Bignell is a master of ensemble casts. Each of the Nowhere River residents bought life, humour, dimension, conflict, history and depth to the towns makeup. I loved St Margery’s Ladies Clubs pompous president…I mean doesn’t everyone want to grow up to say lines like “Let’s not indulge in a panic of conjecture. It’s most unbecoming.”
Each of the character snapshots at the end of each chapter (snippets of Lucie’s Nowhere People history project) really made me laugh. The Aussie slang, the random names and hobbies, the outrageous attitudes and language! So much fun! I feel like I’ve met so many of these country people before.
Bignell is also becoming a favourite of mine in really truely capturing an authentic voice and experience of motherhood (especially early motherhood) where you are drowning in waves of overwhelm, pining for your old self, loneliness, self-doubt, invisibleness and true lack of society value. When main character Corra speaks up about this (after twins!!) she is cast as post natally depressed, ungrateful, hormonal and all other kinds of patronising, silencing and dismissive responses that continues the culture of ignoring women when they talk about their experiences. Bignell explores this tension with such insight, warmth, anger and frankness that I feel like she is giving words to my heart. Maybe if I lived in Tasmania we’d be friends. What a dream! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 4.5 stars
Note: I really think I didn’t give it five stars because I read Angry Women’s Choir first and LOVED that so much!
🎧: I adored the narration by Marta Dusseldorp. Loved loved loved it! Some of the characters voices made me laugh out loud! She added such wonderful colour to the already colourful residents of Nowhere River! It makes me want to go back and listen to the narration of Angry Women’s Choir…does Marta narrate this too!? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔁Similar to: Meg Bignell’s other novel The Angry Women’s Choir (town ensemble cast, humour and stress); The Last Illusion of Paige White (Insta comparing, small Australian town riverside living) by Vanessa McCausland.
February 23, 2021
Welcome to Nowhere River - a small town with big characters. As eccentric and unconventional as many of them are, they are all intensely human.
We have city-born Carra, who moves to Nowhere River to start a family with her doctor husband. Like so many new mums, her identity is lost in the chaos that is sleep deprivation, crying babies, dirty nappies and basic survival - except she soon decides this is no way to live. Then there’s her mother-in-law Lucie, a pillar of the local community, whose grief over her missing daughter unexpectedly overtakes her years later with consequences that reverberate. We also meet Sergeant D, the attractive police officer who has returned to the town where her heart was broken; Flo, the bullied teenager with a wild streak who makes it her mission to bring the townsfolk together; and Cliffity, the not-quite-there old guy who collects ferrets and garden gnomes. When the affluent and proud Patricia, head of the local ladies club, offers $100,000 to the woman who comes up with a winning rescue plan to reinvigorate the small town, imaginations are captured and competitive spirits are ignited. But will her initiative divide the community forever or will it bring about the unity they all desire? One thing is for sure, nothing will ever be the same again. This is an original and enjoyable story that anyone from the country will warmly relate to. It feels like a patchwork quilt of cute, sad, quaint and funny features that collectively are warm and comforting.
#BRPreview @book.clubber
We have city-born Carra, who moves to Nowhere River to start a family with her doctor husband. Like so many new mums, her identity is lost in the chaos that is sleep deprivation, crying babies, dirty nappies and basic survival - except she soon decides this is no way to live. Then there’s her mother-in-law Lucie, a pillar of the local community, whose grief over her missing daughter unexpectedly overtakes her years later with consequences that reverberate. We also meet Sergeant D, the attractive police officer who has returned to the town where her heart was broken; Flo, the bullied teenager with a wild streak who makes it her mission to bring the townsfolk together; and Cliffity, the not-quite-there old guy who collects ferrets and garden gnomes. When the affluent and proud Patricia, head of the local ladies club, offers $100,000 to the woman who comes up with a winning rescue plan to reinvigorate the small town, imaginations are captured and competitive spirits are ignited. But will her initiative divide the community forever or will it bring about the unity they all desire? One thing is for sure, nothing will ever be the same again. This is an original and enjoyable story that anyone from the country will warmly relate to. It feels like a patchwork quilt of cute, sad, quaint and funny features that collectively are warm and comforting.
#BRPreview @book.clubber
June 3, 2021
Another book set in Tasmania, my home State.
Nowhere River is like a lot of places - it is small, and getting smaller every day. It has an ageing population, it isn't easy to get the services you need and community events that were a feature of the town have stopped due to lack of numbers and/or lack of people putting their hands up to run them.
This was a skilfully woven tale of the people who live in small towns, that you can live in a place all of your life and yet not know everything there is to know about another person who has lived in that place as well.
Carra is the wife of the town "saint" the solo GP. On paper, she has it all, but she is struggling with twins, a lack of support and a nagging feeling that there should be more to life than this.
Lucie is Carra's mother-in-law - a woman who has a lot of gifts and yet has a deep grief that time has not healed.
Josie was Carra's best friend but somehow through time and circumstances, their bond has been weakened lately.
These three women are the cornerstone of the story but a lot of other townspeople add colour and flavour to it and I love the little summaries of different people's stories at the end of each chapter.
Slowly, the backstories of the townspeople are revealed and they are a revelation in some cases. Each one brings us closer to understanding what makes the town tick. And why people are the way they are.
I really enjoyed this book.
4.5 stars from me.
Nowhere River is like a lot of places - it is small, and getting smaller every day. It has an ageing population, it isn't easy to get the services you need and community events that were a feature of the town have stopped due to lack of numbers and/or lack of people putting their hands up to run them.
This was a skilfully woven tale of the people who live in small towns, that you can live in a place all of your life and yet not know everything there is to know about another person who has lived in that place as well.
Carra is the wife of the town "saint" the solo GP. On paper, she has it all, but she is struggling with twins, a lack of support and a nagging feeling that there should be more to life than this.
Lucie is Carra's mother-in-law - a woman who has a lot of gifts and yet has a deep grief that time has not healed.
Josie was Carra's best friend but somehow through time and circumstances, their bond has been weakened lately.
These three women are the cornerstone of the story but a lot of other townspeople add colour and flavour to it and I love the little summaries of different people's stories at the end of each chapter.
Slowly, the backstories of the townspeople are revealed and they are a revelation in some cases. Each one brings us closer to understanding what makes the town tick. And why people are the way they are.
I really enjoyed this book.
4.5 stars from me.
February 19, 2021
A look into the life and moments of the quiet country Tasmanian town of Nowhere River which is teetering on the brink of abandonment and only held together by the few remaining inhabitants in a mixture of past memories and future attempt to revitalise the town they both love and hate.
All in all a pretty good read with lots of character types and those silly moments that install themselves into local lore, likes and dislikes as well as examples of how to maintain hope is often the key to a better life. The story is based around the recollections of the town’s people many of which are brought to us through a competition to try to find ways to heal the community as well as the town itself.
A cleverly written story which I found quite enlightening and full of gasps of exasperation punctuated by cleverly, jocular moments that often had be quietly giggling to myself.
So many of the characters are for me, very relatable and breathe fresh air into many of my own personal memories of growing up in quiet, country towns who often faced similar dilemmas.
A brilliant book that due to its need to instil life into the characters does feel like it is going to be a slow, slog to read but perseverance will open a story that you will both enjoy and love to talk to others about.
All in all a pretty good read with lots of character types and those silly moments that install themselves into local lore, likes and dislikes as well as examples of how to maintain hope is often the key to a better life. The story is based around the recollections of the town’s people many of which are brought to us through a competition to try to find ways to heal the community as well as the town itself.
A cleverly written story which I found quite enlightening and full of gasps of exasperation punctuated by cleverly, jocular moments that often had be quietly giggling to myself.
So many of the characters are for me, very relatable and breathe fresh air into many of my own personal memories of growing up in quiet, country towns who often faced similar dilemmas.
A brilliant book that due to its need to instil life into the characters does feel like it is going to be a slow, slog to read but perseverance will open a story that you will both enjoy and love to talk to others about.
February 22, 2021
Thank you to Better Reading for a preview copy of this book to review.
When Carra married Duncan, Nowhere River’s favourite son, she thought that she had finally found somewhere to belong. With the fairy-tale wedding behind her, she finds life as a small-town Doctor’s wife with 10 month old twins is not as perfect as everyone assumes. Carra is lonely and overwhelmed, her husband is always busy, and she’s too embarrassed to admit that she isn’t coping and ask for help.
However, she isn’t the only one feeling lost. The town is dying as the drought lingers on and people move away to find work. But then a competition is announced to find Miss Fresh and Lovely. Designed to revive Nowhere River through Community Works, it brings out people’s competitive side, causing quite some drama before ultimately bringing the town together.
Scattered throughout the book are snippets from interviews of the town’s many characters. At first, I found them distracting, but then grew to love them. They brought a lovely comedic touch to the story. I also really enjoyed the old Australian slang, which you don’t hear so much of these days. I found myself crying and laughing throughout this book. Well worth a read.
When Carra married Duncan, Nowhere River’s favourite son, she thought that she had finally found somewhere to belong. With the fairy-tale wedding behind her, she finds life as a small-town Doctor’s wife with 10 month old twins is not as perfect as everyone assumes. Carra is lonely and overwhelmed, her husband is always busy, and she’s too embarrassed to admit that she isn’t coping and ask for help.
However, she isn’t the only one feeling lost. The town is dying as the drought lingers on and people move away to find work. But then a competition is announced to find Miss Fresh and Lovely. Designed to revive Nowhere River through Community Works, it brings out people’s competitive side, causing quite some drama before ultimately bringing the town together.
Scattered throughout the book are snippets from interviews of the town’s many characters. At first, I found them distracting, but then grew to love them. They brought a lovely comedic touch to the story. I also really enjoyed the old Australian slang, which you don’t hear so much of these days. I found myself crying and laughing throughout this book. Well worth a read.
August 13, 2023
Welcome to Nowhere River is Bignell's sophomore novel.
It's another novel set in Tasmania in the fictional rural town of Nowhere River.
It's your typical small town, with a variety of characters, where everyone knows everyone business, but nobody truly knows anyone.
We get to meet several characters: Carra is a young mum with twin babies, married to the handsomest doctor in town. Everyone envies her, but she feels like she's losing herself in the drudgery of bringing up kids and keeping house, while her husband is always busy helping everyone but her.
The town and its inhabitants are stressed due to the long-term drought. Carra's in-laws had suffered the loss of a daughter thirty years prior. Their pain still affects them to the day.
There are other characters that pop up here and there, some with more airtime than others.
Without spoiling it, this is the type of story where the town's people come together to help each other in hard times, which allows them to have realisations about what's important in life etc.
This was an easy to listen to audiobook, well narrated by Marta Dusseldorp. For some strange reason, I wasn't as invested in the stories presented.
Now that I've finished reading everything Bignell wrote, I'm eagerly awaiting her next book. Here's hoping Bignell will narrate it herself. :-)
It's another novel set in Tasmania in the fictional rural town of Nowhere River.
It's your typical small town, with a variety of characters, where everyone knows everyone business, but nobody truly knows anyone.
We get to meet several characters: Carra is a young mum with twin babies, married to the handsomest doctor in town. Everyone envies her, but she feels like she's losing herself in the drudgery of bringing up kids and keeping house, while her husband is always busy helping everyone but her.
The town and its inhabitants are stressed due to the long-term drought. Carra's in-laws had suffered the loss of a daughter thirty years prior. Their pain still affects them to the day.
There are other characters that pop up here and there, some with more airtime than others.
Without spoiling it, this is the type of story where the town's people come together to help each other in hard times, which allows them to have realisations about what's important in life etc.
This was an easy to listen to audiobook, well narrated by Marta Dusseldorp. For some strange reason, I wasn't as invested in the stories presented.
Now that I've finished reading everything Bignell wrote, I'm eagerly awaiting her next book. Here's hoping Bignell will narrate it herself. :-)
February 22, 2021
Welcome to Nowhere River is a heartfelt novel set in a small (fictional) country town in the Central Highlands of Tasmania, it is full of loveable characters, all with amazing community spirit that will have you wanting to pack up and head there.
I could really relate to the characters and how a small town can rally and come together when needed. Carra’s struggles were so relatable and Lucie’s grief was so understandable something I hope and pray I will never experience.
The story will have you falling in love, it will break your heart, it will piece it back together and maybe even have you in tears.
Even though I was hoping in a away for different outcome for Carra, thinking about it after finishing the book it probably worked out for the best.
I wish to thank Penguin Book Australia for so kindly gifting me a copy of this book to read and review prior to its release on the 3rd of March. I absolutely adored her debut novel “The Sparkle Pages” and just couldn’t wait to read this one, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
✨This is definitely a book I recommend reading!
I could really relate to the characters and how a small town can rally and come together when needed. Carra’s struggles were so relatable and Lucie’s grief was so understandable something I hope and pray I will never experience.
The story will have you falling in love, it will break your heart, it will piece it back together and maybe even have you in tears.
Even though I was hoping in a away for different outcome for Carra, thinking about it after finishing the book it probably worked out for the best.
I wish to thank Penguin Book Australia for so kindly gifting me a copy of this book to read and review prior to its release on the 3rd of March. I absolutely adored her debut novel “The Sparkle Pages” and just couldn’t wait to read this one, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
✨This is definitely a book I recommend reading!
February 25, 2021
This story set in a fictional, country town in Tasmania, is an easy read but has a few twists in it to surprise the reader and keeping the lovable characters growing in life.
The plot revolves around the main character, Carra who is married to the local doctor, after moving to Nowhere River from a big city and a promising career. Now married with twin babies to keep her from her dreams and sanity, Carra, assists with a town project which highlights the quaint, funny and stoic local inhabitants, some of whom we would recognize ourselves if we have ever lived in a small town.
From the amusing, predictable local gossip to the strength of care from the town people, who deeply love their town, Nowhere River gives an insight into small town goings on. And the struggle to keep them alive and vibrant, for the next generations.
The description of the town buildings and the surrounding scenery is authentic and believable. The ending is quite unexpected but thought provoking. A delightful read.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book before its release to the public.
The plot revolves around the main character, Carra who is married to the local doctor, after moving to Nowhere River from a big city and a promising career. Now married with twin babies to keep her from her dreams and sanity, Carra, assists with a town project which highlights the quaint, funny and stoic local inhabitants, some of whom we would recognize ourselves if we have ever lived in a small town.
From the amusing, predictable local gossip to the strength of care from the town people, who deeply love their town, Nowhere River gives an insight into small town goings on. And the struggle to keep them alive and vibrant, for the next generations.
The description of the town buildings and the surrounding scenery is authentic and believable. The ending is quite unexpected but thought provoking. A delightful read.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book before its release to the public.
September 17, 2022
On the one hand this book annoyed me, as I know Southern Tasmania well and some of the place names and distances/time to travel didn't sit right for me. On the other hand it was a great reminder of Country Shows - Bream Creek, where I have sat in a traffic jam for over 40 minutes to get into the showgrounds. I would say the Bream Creek would have to have been the absolute BEST show I ever went to. Hamilton Show, where the rocks on a nearby hill let the whole neighbourhood know when the show is happening. Bushy Park show, which is a show on a much lesser scale. Interesting when there was talk of a derelict chimney as I remember passing a portico for an old school everytime I drove the highway from Hobart to Launceston. Nowhere High Country Bike Trails reminded me of the
Bike trails from the Eagle Eyrie back into Maydena, (no mention of the Railtrack Rider which is the only one of its kind in Australia) The architecture mentioned reminded me of the towns in the area, Richmond, Oatlands with Callington Mill, Ross and Campbelltown as I drove from Richmond to Launceston quite often.
Bike trails from the Eagle Eyrie back into Maydena, (no mention of the Railtrack Rider which is the only one of its kind in Australia) The architecture mentioned reminded me of the towns in the area, Richmond, Oatlands with Callington Mill, Ross and Campbelltown as I drove from Richmond to Launceston quite often.
March 1, 2021
Thank you to @betterreadingau @penguinbooksaus and @megbignell for this ARC.
I knew I was going to enjoy this story only after reading the first few pages.
It's set in Nowhere River in Tasmania, a small country town that's going nowhere until a competition and a 16 year old girl puts them on the map. It sounds like a place I'd like to live.
The characters range from bogans to governors, if you don't find someone in this book you can relate to you must be an alien. Meg has a way of making you fall in love with them all.
I loved the individual character stories at the end of each chapter, it summed the people up nicely.
I don't really read "contemporary romance" and after reading this book it felt more "uplit" genre to me, I loved it and I didn't want it to end.
I'd recommend this book to anyone that wants a bit of a lift. It's warm and funny, which is sometimes hard to do both justice, but Meg has done it well.
I knew I was going to enjoy this story only after reading the first few pages.
It's set in Nowhere River in Tasmania, a small country town that's going nowhere until a competition and a 16 year old girl puts them on the map. It sounds like a place I'd like to live.
The characters range from bogans to governors, if you don't find someone in this book you can relate to you must be an alien. Meg has a way of making you fall in love with them all.
I loved the individual character stories at the end of each chapter, it summed the people up nicely.
I don't really read "contemporary romance" and after reading this book it felt more "uplit" genre to me, I loved it and I didn't want it to end.
I'd recommend this book to anyone that wants a bit of a lift. It's warm and funny, which is sometimes hard to do both justice, but Meg has done it well.
March 8, 2021
“Welcome to Nowhere River” is set in a country town, “somewhere” in Tasmania - like most country towns in Australia at some time, struggling to keep their community spirit alive while battling the ravages of drought.
While a little slow to start, as we meet the inhabitants of Nowhere River, we are soon drawn into the various threads within the book; Carra’s battle of being a mum of twin babies while married to the town’s dishy doctor, Lucie’s plans, as head (perhaps self-appointed?) of the local ladies club, to revitalise the town by funding a competition within the club, and the various ideas that the townsfolk come up with to save their precious town – all ring very true of the dilemmas faced by country towns fighting for their existence. Throw in the thread of mystery and tragedy surrounding the Finlay family, and an ending that you would never have guessed, and you are captivated right to the last page turn.
While a little slow to start, as we meet the inhabitants of Nowhere River, we are soon drawn into the various threads within the book; Carra’s battle of being a mum of twin babies while married to the town’s dishy doctor, Lucie’s plans, as head (perhaps self-appointed?) of the local ladies club, to revitalise the town by funding a competition within the club, and the various ideas that the townsfolk come up with to save their precious town – all ring very true of the dilemmas faced by country towns fighting for their existence. Throw in the thread of mystery and tragedy surrounding the Finlay family, and an ending that you would never have guessed, and you are captivated right to the last page turn.
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