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We'll Meet Again #1
Elizabeth's Star
‘If you talk to the stars, I will talk back to you.’
In 1941, Queensland drover, Michael McTavish leaves behind his young daughter Gracie and joins the 2/22 AIF, his destination, Rabaul, New Guinea, a small town surrounded by impenetrable jungles and steep jagged mountains, its shores lined by tranquil bays and active volcanos.
Joanie has also arrived in New Guinea, with a chance to manage a trading store with her father, Reg, too exciting an opportunity to pass up.
As the tendrils of war creep closer to the islands north of Australia, some who call Rabaul home are given an opportunity to return to Australian shores. Others have no option but to stay. Will separation and distance affect the destiny of those who live in the path of the approaching enemy or will the power of love prevail?
Based on actual events, Elizabeth’s Star begins the story of Michael and Joanie, unfolding the lives of their families and friends while following the life of Gracie, a little girl left behind when her father went to war.
A moving tale of love, loss and separation.
In 1941, Queensland drover, Michael McTavish leaves behind his young daughter Gracie and joins the 2/22 AIF, his destination, Rabaul, New Guinea, a small town surrounded by impenetrable jungles and steep jagged mountains, its shores lined by tranquil bays and active volcanos.
Joanie has also arrived in New Guinea, with a chance to manage a trading store with her father, Reg, too exciting an opportunity to pass up.
As the tendrils of war creep closer to the islands north of Australia, some who call Rabaul home are given an opportunity to return to Australian shores. Others have no option but to stay. Will separation and distance affect the destiny of those who live in the path of the approaching enemy or will the power of love prevail?
Based on actual events, Elizabeth’s Star begins the story of Michael and Joanie, unfolding the lives of their families and friends while following the life of Gracie, a little girl left behind when her father went to war.
A moving tale of love, loss and separation.
326 pages, ebook
Published August 7, 2021
723 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Rhonda Forrest
38 books70 followersAn Australian voice creating compelling contemporary fiction - from bush to beach, steamy romances, riveting history and eclectic characters.
Rhonda Forrest is an Australian teacher and author who writes captivating contemporary and historical fiction about relationships, family life and social issues, set amidst beautiful and uniquely Australian landscapes.
After bringing up three daughters and traversing several different careers, Rhonda went on to teach creative writing, English and History to high school students. Her passion for literacy, history and travelling around Australia fuels her novels.
Rhonda currently lives with her husband between two Queensland homes: one on Tamborine Mountain, the other a century-old cottage with a rambling garden, overlooking the waters of the Whitsundays.
Readers can connect with Rhonda via her website www.rhondaforrest.com, Instagram @rhondaforrestauthor or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/valeenapress.
Rhonda Forrest is an Australian teacher and author who writes captivating contemporary and historical fiction about relationships, family life and social issues, set amidst beautiful and uniquely Australian landscapes.
After bringing up three daughters and traversing several different careers, Rhonda went on to teach creative writing, English and History to high school students. Her passion for literacy, history and travelling around Australia fuels her novels.
Rhonda currently lives with her husband between two Queensland homes: one on Tamborine Mountain, the other a century-old cottage with a rambling garden, overlooking the waters of the Whitsundays.
Readers can connect with Rhonda via her website www.rhondaforrest.com, Instagram @rhondaforrestauthor or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/valeenapress.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
September 1, 2021
It was 1933 when twins Michael and Dan McTavish left their parent’s property of Bundeen Station in the Channel country of Queensland to make their own way in life. Drovers, the two young men worked their way down south and after a stint on another property continued further south. When their last job sent them to Broken Hill with twenty horses for the circus which was currently in town, Michael and Dan had no idea how much their lives would change. Dan would stay with the circus, while Michael wanted to return home to Queensland. It had been over a year since they’d seen their parents and siblings and Michael was homesick. But as fate would have it, it was Melbourne he headed to instead.
Joanie had escaped her Queensland country town of Woombye after a broken relationship, moving on to Brisbane. She loved the city, enjoyed her job and was close to Vera, her flat share friend. Returning to Woombye saw an offer to travel with her father, Reg, to Rabaul, New Guinea, where they’d look after a store for a friend, before returning to Edna and Woombye. Joanie was excited about travelling, but it was March 1940, and the rumbles of war in Europe were on the horizon. Her childhood friends, Andrew and Peter were going to sign up to join the Australian army and rid the world of Germany and Hitler.
In the meantime, five-year-old Gracie desperately missed her father who had signed up to join the war efforts. Gazing at the bright star each night, she would talk to it, remembering what her daddy had said to her about hearing her when she talked to Elizabeth’s star…
Elizabeth’s Star is the 1st in the We’ll Meet Again trilogy by Australian author Rhonda Forrest and I loved it. A fascinating tale of people growing up in the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s, it’s based on actual events with an extremely interesting Author’s Note at the beginning of the book. My favourite characters were definitely the twins – Michael and Dan. I’m looking forward very much to the continuation of the story in the next episode, Until We Meet. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Joanie had escaped her Queensland country town of Woombye after a broken relationship, moving on to Brisbane. She loved the city, enjoyed her job and was close to Vera, her flat share friend. Returning to Woombye saw an offer to travel with her father, Reg, to Rabaul, New Guinea, where they’d look after a store for a friend, before returning to Edna and Woombye. Joanie was excited about travelling, but it was March 1940, and the rumbles of war in Europe were on the horizon. Her childhood friends, Andrew and Peter were going to sign up to join the Australian army and rid the world of Germany and Hitler.
In the meantime, five-year-old Gracie desperately missed her father who had signed up to join the war efforts. Gazing at the bright star each night, she would talk to it, remembering what her daddy had said to her about hearing her when she talked to Elizabeth’s star…
Elizabeth’s Star is the 1st in the We’ll Meet Again trilogy by Australian author Rhonda Forrest and I loved it. A fascinating tale of people growing up in the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s, it’s based on actual events with an extremely interesting Author’s Note at the beginning of the book. My favourite characters were definitely the twins – Michael and Dan. I’m looking forward very much to the continuation of the story in the next episode, Until We Meet. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2025
First of all before starting this book you need to remember that it is the first book in a series, because it does stop rather suddenly at the end.
The story is told in a rather unusual way. First we are introduced to Michael and Dan and their family who live on a property in Queensland. When the boys grow up they go to work as drovers. One such expedition takes them to a circus where Dan finds himself a job. Michael sadly makes a serious mistake and ends up living in Melbourne in unpleasant circumstances. The tale then jumps to Joanie who lives in a country Queensland town. In 1940 she travels with her father to live temporarily in Raboul in New Guinea. The second World war is threatening the region. What will happen to our two main characters next?
There is a lot of real Australian history happening around the fictional characters. There are also wonderful descriptions of the Australian landscape and the way the people lived at that time. A very readable book and I will of course have to read part two.
The story is told in a rather unusual way. First we are introduced to Michael and Dan and their family who live on a property in Queensland. When the boys grow up they go to work as drovers. One such expedition takes them to a circus where Dan finds himself a job. Michael sadly makes a serious mistake and ends up living in Melbourne in unpleasant circumstances. The tale then jumps to Joanie who lives in a country Queensland town. In 1940 she travels with her father to live temporarily in Raboul in New Guinea. The second World war is threatening the region. What will happen to our two main characters next?
There is a lot of real Australian history happening around the fictional characters. There are also wonderful descriptions of the Australian landscape and the way the people lived at that time. A very readable book and I will of course have to read part two.
September 13, 2024
Reg Black and his wife Edna live in Woombye, Queensland and their daughter Joanie has been working and living in Brisbane. When Reg is given a two year contract to manage the local trading store in Rabaul, New Guinea, which is part of the Islands that make up New Britain and he and Joanie embark on an adventure together and Edna encourages them to go.
Michael McTavish grew up on a property in the remote Channel Country, three hundred miles north of Birdsville, and he’s a drover and when Michael made one life changing decision and took a wrong turn and he ends up living in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
When, Prime Minister Robert Menzies announces Australia needs more troops, Michael joins the 2/22 AIF and after basic training he’s sent to Rabaul, New Guinea in March 1941, when he arrives in the small town, he notices two things, the smell of sulphur from the active volcanoes and the happy faces of the locals. They live surrounded by jungle and mountains, beautiful beaches and hidden coves.
Reg is nervous about the situation in Rabaul heading towards the end of the year, the Japanese forces are a concern, and he books his and Joanie’s trip back to Australia. The Lark Forces will stay, Michael and Joanie have developed feelings for each other and she's aware of his young daughter Gracie waiting for him in Melbourne and they hope to get married and be a family.
Author Rhonda Forrest uses her grandfather’s story as a basis for her well written and engrossing novel, I did know about Australian troops being sent to fight in New Guinea during the Second World War and I had never heard of the town of Rabaul and only the Kokoda Track.
For me the highlights were how both Joanie and Michael embraced all New Guinea had to offer, from the people and culture, the stunning and lush scenery, the colourful and vibrant Chinese area and the friendships they made, with MI-Lee and Birri and I feel the knowledge he shared with Michael might prove to be invaluable.
I really enjoyed reading Elizabeth’s Star by Ms. Forrest and I highly recommend, and I can’t wait to read the second book in the We'll Meet Again Trilogy and five stars from me and I hope love does prevail.
Michael McTavish grew up on a property in the remote Channel Country, three hundred miles north of Birdsville, and he’s a drover and when Michael made one life changing decision and took a wrong turn and he ends up living in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
When, Prime Minister Robert Menzies announces Australia needs more troops, Michael joins the 2/22 AIF and after basic training he’s sent to Rabaul, New Guinea in March 1941, when he arrives in the small town, he notices two things, the smell of sulphur from the active volcanoes and the happy faces of the locals. They live surrounded by jungle and mountains, beautiful beaches and hidden coves.
Reg is nervous about the situation in Rabaul heading towards the end of the year, the Japanese forces are a concern, and he books his and Joanie’s trip back to Australia. The Lark Forces will stay, Michael and Joanie have developed feelings for each other and she's aware of his young daughter Gracie waiting for him in Melbourne and they hope to get married and be a family.
Author Rhonda Forrest uses her grandfather’s story as a basis for her well written and engrossing novel, I did know about Australian troops being sent to fight in New Guinea during the Second World War and I had never heard of the town of Rabaul and only the Kokoda Track.
For me the highlights were how both Joanie and Michael embraced all New Guinea had to offer, from the people and culture, the stunning and lush scenery, the colourful and vibrant Chinese area and the friendships they made, with MI-Lee and Birri and I feel the knowledge he shared with Michael might prove to be invaluable.
I really enjoyed reading Elizabeth’s Star by Ms. Forrest and I highly recommend, and I can’t wait to read the second book in the We'll Meet Again Trilogy and five stars from me and I hope love does prevail.
August 14, 2021
There were so many facets of this book that I enjoyed. The beautiful Australian and New Guinea settings described so well that I thought I was actually there. The characters I became attached to and now I NEED to know what happened to. (Thank goodness there is a Book 2) The connections between family and friends and also romances that develop throughout the book. Most of all I loved learning about outback Queensland in the 1930s and 40s, the lives of drovers and also about the circuses that I never knew existed during that time. I'm intrigued by the events during World War II in Rabaul and Australia and can't wait to read what happens next.
I LOVED this book and rate it as one of the best historical fiction books out there. This is a must read, not only because of the characters and relationships but also because it tells a little known story of an important event that occurred during World War II.
I've loved all of Rhonda Forrest's other books and this one really highlights her as a leading Australian fiction author. I look forward to Book 2.
I LOVED this book and rate it as one of the best historical fiction books out there. This is a must read, not only because of the characters and relationships but also because it tells a little known story of an important event that occurred during World War II.
I've loved all of Rhonda Forrest's other books and this one really highlights her as a leading Australian fiction author. I look forward to Book 2.
August 14, 2021
An exceptional story.
From the first few pages the story of Michael and his family, then Joanie and hers, drew me in. Rhonda Forrest must have lived and breathed the locations; her descriptions take you right there - to breathe in the humidity, sometimes the dust, hear the rain, feel the heat, see the stars.
The characters are well-rounded, the dialogue flows and the adventure is real.
No spoilers here, but if Book 2 isn't out soon - there will be questions Rhonda Forrest!
From the first few pages the story of Michael and his family, then Joanie and hers, drew me in. Rhonda Forrest must have lived and breathed the locations; her descriptions take you right there - to breathe in the humidity, sometimes the dust, hear the rain, feel the heat, see the stars.
The characters are well-rounded, the dialogue flows and the adventure is real.
No spoilers here, but if Book 2 isn't out soon - there will be questions Rhonda Forrest!
October 30, 2021
Elizabeth's star
A very well written book. I loved the story based on the events of the time as it leads into The Japanese occupation of Islands in the South Pacific during World War Two and the Australians fighting for their homeland.
A very well written book. I loved the story based on the events of the time as it leads into The Japanese occupation of Islands in the South Pacific during World War Two and the Australians fighting for their homeland.
September 29, 2021
Fantastic historical fiction
Rhonda’s books are warm and gentle, filled with characters you want to become friends with and a fulfilling and well-crafted story. Plus this one is meticulously researched and is particularly personal to the author. It’s a joy to read and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Rhonda’s books are warm and gentle, filled with characters you want to become friends with and a fulfilling and well-crafted story. Plus this one is meticulously researched and is particularly personal to the author. It’s a joy to read and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
September 18, 2021
A fascinating story of a family growing up in the stark landscape of North Queensland. Michael and Dan set off to see more of their country when they take the cattle and horses down to Maree and then continue on to Broken Hill where they get their first sight of the circus. Life has some heavy lessons for Michael when he meets Layla and has a child by her. Gracie is a delight for him but he feels he must do his duty and sign up as a soldier for the impending war with Germany. Joanie is ready for adventure and agrees to go to Rabaul with her father for a couple of years. A very interesting look at life in Rabaul which seems like paradise. I enjoyed the story and look forward to seeing how this saga unfolds.
August 31, 2021
Set in the years pre WW2, we follow several lives as they fall into the beginning ramblings of the impending war.
Joanie and her father leave their comfortable home in Australia to go work in Rabaul, New Guinea, a hot city with volcanic action active enough to scare anyone away. Father and daughter are contracted for 2 years, but will they last that long?
Michael leaves his beloved little girl to join the army and lands in Rabaul where he meets Joanie.
Gracie, the little girl Michael left, looks to the sky each night, searching for her father.
Three lives, but all intertwined into a twisting saga of love and belonging.
I loved and devoured this book. I read it in 3 sittings, not able to put it down.
The characters gripped me so tight, and even after I finished, hadn't let go.
This is book 1 of a series, and the author did a fantastic job of laying the groundwork and setting the stage for what's to come. I can already tell that Gracie's story will be a devastating one! 💔
I fell in love with the characters quickly and would have followed them anywhere. This is an epic tale of: family love, loyalty, and the struggles with finding oneself while remaining true to those you love. I wasn't ready for it to end, and I need book 2 sooner than later please! 😍
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
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Joanie and her father leave their comfortable home in Australia to go work in Rabaul, New Guinea, a hot city with volcanic action active enough to scare anyone away. Father and daughter are contracted for 2 years, but will they last that long?
Michael leaves his beloved little girl to join the army and lands in Rabaul where he meets Joanie.
Gracie, the little girl Michael left, looks to the sky each night, searching for her father.
Three lives, but all intertwined into a twisting saga of love and belonging.
I loved and devoured this book. I read it in 3 sittings, not able to put it down.
The characters gripped me so tight, and even after I finished, hadn't let go.
This is book 1 of a series, and the author did a fantastic job of laying the groundwork and setting the stage for what's to come. I can already tell that Gracie's story will be a devastating one! 💔
I fell in love with the characters quickly and would have followed them anywhere. This is an epic tale of: family love, loyalty, and the struggles with finding oneself while remaining true to those you love. I wasn't ready for it to end, and I need book 2 sooner than later please! 😍
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
.
April 13, 2022
Families being made and brought together
I love a book that pulls me in so I feel I am one of the characters, interacting with the rest of the characters in the book. I could feel their feelings and want their wants. Excellent book!
I love a book that pulls me in so I feel I am one of the characters, interacting with the rest of the characters in the book. I could feel their feelings and want their wants. Excellent book!
April 14, 2022
This story takes place in the decade leading up to WWII until just before Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. The characters are interesting and I will have to read the next book in this series and find out what happens to them.
December 18, 2021
Rhonda Forrest's latest historical fiction novel 'Elizabeth's Star' is nothing short of magnificent.
The story begins in Channel Country, Queensland, 1929. We first meet Michael McTavish and his family. I was drawn in right away, due to this loving family and how Michael and his brothers are are brought up with such love and care. I enjoyed reading about their lives and the work they do as drovers. The Australian landscape is depicted beautifully, in particular due to the characters' appreciation of the land. Michael and his twin brother, Dan go to work away and their lives change forever. Their adventures lead them down different paths. Michael enlists in the war and must leave his daughter, Gracie behind in Australia.
One third of the way through the story we meet Joanie and her family in 1940, Woombye, Queensland. Joanie and her father, Reg decide to go to Rabaul, New Guinea on a father-daughter adventure/working trip. This is where the Michael and Joanie's lives connect.
Rhonda is an author who can immerse a reader in a certain time and place in an instant. Each destination is a feast for the senses and an absolute delight. The 'scent from the magnolia tree, laden with flowers, wafting in through the open window' took me to Papua New Guinea with Joanie. Rhonda's descriptions of the land and people are insightful, well researched, atmospheric and filled with cultural awareness.
Often when reading authors' novels we learn about who they are or what they are passionate about through their writing. In Rhonda's novels, I tend to learn something new about who she is as a person. Elizabeth's Star, just as her other novels shows a compassionate writer who places strong value on family connection, in particular the significance of 'Elizabeth's Star' in the night sky. In Elizabeth's Star, we are told of some of Rhonda's family history. I felt privileged to read her author's note, learning about her beloved grandfather, James McGowen, who enlisted for service at Kelvin Grove, Brisbane and later became part of the Lark Force, ending up in Rabaul, New Britain. I was in tears reading this and felt for Rhonda and her entire family. Due to Rhonda's personal insights, the historical events are well understood and explored in this historical fiction novel.
Another aspect that I loved about Elizabeth's Star is the appreciation of indigenous cultures. Michael and his family appreciate the knowledge and true connection the Aboriginal people of Australia have with their land. They trust and respect them. Upon arrival to New Guinea, we see Reg and Joanie excited to learn about the Papuans who are at 'one with their families, land and the waters'. I enjoyed reading about this vibrant culture and meeting the local people. I admire a culture where people are 'happy and content with their homes and way of life.'
Rhonda's characters always bring to light important issues. We see racial discrimination within the novel and how in time, multiculturalism is acknowledged. Joanie is a strong female character who speaks her mind. Upon arrival and noticing the divide between the Papuans and English speaking community, she states 'there's no way I'm going to treat anyone differently' and proceeds to ensure everyone is welcome in their store.
The characters in the novel have a strong bond with one another, which is another reason why Rhonda's novels are truly heartwarming. At a horrific time, pre World War II, we see such kindness and love between the main characters.
This is a story that had to be told! This is a time and event in war history that many have no knowledge of and yet through Elizabeth's Star, here we are learning about it. I could feel the author's personal connection with the historical events as I read the novel. Elizabeth's Star is sincere and heartfelt. I can't wait for Book 2!
Thank you Rhonda for sending me your beautiful novel.
www.instagram.com/chapter_ichi
The story begins in Channel Country, Queensland, 1929. We first meet Michael McTavish and his family. I was drawn in right away, due to this loving family and how Michael and his brothers are are brought up with such love and care. I enjoyed reading about their lives and the work they do as drovers. The Australian landscape is depicted beautifully, in particular due to the characters' appreciation of the land. Michael and his twin brother, Dan go to work away and their lives change forever. Their adventures lead them down different paths. Michael enlists in the war and must leave his daughter, Gracie behind in Australia.
One third of the way through the story we meet Joanie and her family in 1940, Woombye, Queensland. Joanie and her father, Reg decide to go to Rabaul, New Guinea on a father-daughter adventure/working trip. This is where the Michael and Joanie's lives connect.
Rhonda is an author who can immerse a reader in a certain time and place in an instant. Each destination is a feast for the senses and an absolute delight. The 'scent from the magnolia tree, laden with flowers, wafting in through the open window' took me to Papua New Guinea with Joanie. Rhonda's descriptions of the land and people are insightful, well researched, atmospheric and filled with cultural awareness.
Often when reading authors' novels we learn about who they are or what they are passionate about through their writing. In Rhonda's novels, I tend to learn something new about who she is as a person. Elizabeth's Star, just as her other novels shows a compassionate writer who places strong value on family connection, in particular the significance of 'Elizabeth's Star' in the night sky. In Elizabeth's Star, we are told of some of Rhonda's family history. I felt privileged to read her author's note, learning about her beloved grandfather, James McGowen, who enlisted for service at Kelvin Grove, Brisbane and later became part of the Lark Force, ending up in Rabaul, New Britain. I was in tears reading this and felt for Rhonda and her entire family. Due to Rhonda's personal insights, the historical events are well understood and explored in this historical fiction novel.
Another aspect that I loved about Elizabeth's Star is the appreciation of indigenous cultures. Michael and his family appreciate the knowledge and true connection the Aboriginal people of Australia have with their land. They trust and respect them. Upon arrival to New Guinea, we see Reg and Joanie excited to learn about the Papuans who are at 'one with their families, land and the waters'. I enjoyed reading about this vibrant culture and meeting the local people. I admire a culture where people are 'happy and content with their homes and way of life.'
Rhonda's characters always bring to light important issues. We see racial discrimination within the novel and how in time, multiculturalism is acknowledged. Joanie is a strong female character who speaks her mind. Upon arrival and noticing the divide between the Papuans and English speaking community, she states 'there's no way I'm going to treat anyone differently' and proceeds to ensure everyone is welcome in their store.
The characters in the novel have a strong bond with one another, which is another reason why Rhonda's novels are truly heartwarming. At a horrific time, pre World War II, we see such kindness and love between the main characters.
This is a story that had to be told! This is a time and event in war history that many have no knowledge of and yet through Elizabeth's Star, here we are learning about it. I could feel the author's personal connection with the historical events as I read the novel. Elizabeth's Star is sincere and heartfelt. I can't wait for Book 2!
Thank you Rhonda for sending me your beautiful novel.
www.instagram.com/chapter_ichi
May 1, 2023
Elizabeth's Star is book one in the We'll Meet Again series by Rhonda Forrest. In 1941 in Queensland, a young man Michael McTavish left his family to join the Air Force to travel to New Guinea. Joanie moved to New Guinea to help her father, Reg, in his trading store. However, when war came to New Guinea, some were unable to leave others were forced to leave. Reg and Joanie were one of the lucky ones to be able to go home. Will Michael and Joanie blossoming romance survive, or will be perished? What happens to his daughter Gracie? The readers of Elizabeth Star will continue to follow Michael and Joanie to discover what happens.
Rhonda Forrest did an excellent job of describing the Australian historical events during the 1930s and 40s in a way that her readers will engage with the story of Elizabeth Star. I love the way Rhonda Forrest portrays her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. Eizabeth's Star is well-written and researched by Rhonda Forrest. I like Rhonda Forrest's description of her settings of Elizabeth Star, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Elizabeth Star will learn about leaving Rabaul in 1941. Also, the readers of Elizabeth Star will understand the hardship of rural Australia in the early 1920s.
December 13, 2021
I fell in love with this book. It had everything I look for in a great story - Australian history of the outback, early circus days, romance and the impending threat of WWII. Beautifully written with an intricate plot that fills the reader in on the back story to the main characters. The descriptions of landscape, countryside and then the jungles of New Guinea made me feel as if I was actually there. I also enjoy learning about Australia's involvement in the war and the effect this had on the people of Australia and New Guinea. This is Book 1 in the trilogy and along with Book 2 I would rate this as the most important Australian story to be published in 2021. The only problem is that the books aren't available in department stores where I often buy my books, however seem to be on the big online book stores. Looking forward to reading the complete trilogy. Congratulations Rhonda Forrest - Until We Meet Trilogy are the books of the year for me!
May 13, 2022
Elizabeth's Star
A wonderful story but was not ready for it to end. Great descriptions of beauty around them and the characters. Sadness, happiness and complex lives. Loved leaning more about Australian countryside and New Guinea.
A wonderful story but was not ready for it to end. Great descriptions of beauty around them and the characters. Sadness, happiness and complex lives. Loved leaning more about Australian countryside and New Guinea.
May 7, 2022
Very good story. Look forward to the second book
August 26, 2021
Thank you Rhonda for sending us a copy to read and review.
A Rhonda story is like walking into open arms, it’s warm, comforting, holds you tight until the very end and sets you free to tell the world the beauty you just experienced.
A historical fiction family war saga that will melt you heart, caress your soul and leave you wanting more.
Sweeping, evocative, classy and so intriguing.
As we begin we are introduced to Michael and how he grows up with his loving family.
We move on to him being an adult, his time in the circus and fathering his daughter Gracie.
A third of the way through we meet Joanie and her journey with her father to New Guinea.
And finally Gracie returns getting her own point of view as a lead in chapters.
We also get the reveal of significance of the title of the book.
Drawn from the author’s own history and meticulously researched this first instalment from a new trilogy called We’ll Meet Again had me begging for more after I read the final pages.
You know as you are reading the tale that you are going to be transported back to a time of hardship, grief, loss and heartbreak as you get fully immersed into the life’s of the three lead characters voices.
A plot that has many layers, a mixed bag of fascinating individuals all within a novel of inspiration and excellence.
Real parts of history that we know little about have been littered into the storyline and as the tale progresses getting more interesting and compelling.
Well written, vivid descriptions and completely breathtaking.
While I know how much goes into writing a stunning book, Rhonda makes the end result effortless and absolutely captivating.
It’s like the beauty of stars have fallen from the sky and scattered the pages with magic every time you turn the page.
I can’t wait to read the next book and indulge knowing there’s still more to come.
A Rhonda story is like walking into open arms, it’s warm, comforting, holds you tight until the very end and sets you free to tell the world the beauty you just experienced.
A historical fiction family war saga that will melt you heart, caress your soul and leave you wanting more.
Sweeping, evocative, classy and so intriguing.
As we begin we are introduced to Michael and how he grows up with his loving family.
We move on to him being an adult, his time in the circus and fathering his daughter Gracie.
A third of the way through we meet Joanie and her journey with her father to New Guinea.
And finally Gracie returns getting her own point of view as a lead in chapters.
We also get the reveal of significance of the title of the book.
Drawn from the author’s own history and meticulously researched this first instalment from a new trilogy called We’ll Meet Again had me begging for more after I read the final pages.
You know as you are reading the tale that you are going to be transported back to a time of hardship, grief, loss and heartbreak as you get fully immersed into the life’s of the three lead characters voices.
A plot that has many layers, a mixed bag of fascinating individuals all within a novel of inspiration and excellence.
Real parts of history that we know little about have been littered into the storyline and as the tale progresses getting more interesting and compelling.
Well written, vivid descriptions and completely breathtaking.
While I know how much goes into writing a stunning book, Rhonda makes the end result effortless and absolutely captivating.
It’s like the beauty of stars have fallen from the sky and scattered the pages with magic every time you turn the page.
I can’t wait to read the next book and indulge knowing there’s still more to come.
September 24, 2021
Yet another delightful read from the very talented Ms Forrest who has a knack for bringing the Australian landscape, culture and people to life.
While I usually associate Ms Forrest with contemporary Australian fiction, she has taken a detour with this book. This book (the first in a trilogy) is set at the onset of WWII with England declaring war on Germany and ends just before the bombing of Pearl Harbour when the focus of the war moves to the Pacific and to Papua New Guinea.
While reading, I could sense a real commitment from the author to be faithful to the events and to the people who lived through this time and I think that is due to the fact that Ms Forrest works as a history teacher (You have got to love historians who are careful not to take too many liberties with the accepted facts) and because she has a personal family connection with the war events in PNG that leads to a sense of duty/honour to tell the story right. And boy does she ever get it right! Ms Forrest weaves historical events with fiction in such an effortless way that leaves you wanting more. I loved reading about the landscape and culture of PNG. I had the privilege of briefly visiting PNG a few years ago and visited many of the WWII sites/memorials and so this book really had an impact. Also, my Dad's military research was heavily focused on Sanananda (a village in PNG) so I grew up knowing more about the war in PNG than in Europe so the events of this book just captured my attention in a very impacting way.
Ms Forrest's writing of family and friendship always strikes a chord with me in terms of believability and I was so smitten with the character of Michael. I hated getting to the last page and knowing, as a reader, what is about to come next in terms of the war coming to PNG but having the characters still so oblivious and while I feel quietly confident that Ms Forrest will deliver a safe ending for Michael (she better!), you wonder how many of his brothers and friends we will lose before the end of the story.
The only downside for me is that I could have done without the Layla and circus story line. I get that every story/writer needs a villain, but I would have preferred more of a focus on Michael's family and the war effort. That is just me. I read to believe in a better world and that world would be devoid of people like Layla and so I found some of her scenes and things she does a little hard to read.
Bring on book #2!
Reading Challenge
Aussie Readers 2021 Spring Bingo Challenge: Column 1, Row 1 - Read a book published in 2021
Aussie Readers 2021 September Celebrating Libraries Challenge: Does your library organise authors to visit and give talks? Read a book by a favourite author.
While I usually associate Ms Forrest with contemporary Australian fiction, she has taken a detour with this book. This book (the first in a trilogy) is set at the onset of WWII with England declaring war on Germany and ends just before the bombing of Pearl Harbour when the focus of the war moves to the Pacific and to Papua New Guinea.
While reading, I could sense a real commitment from the author to be faithful to the events and to the people who lived through this time and I think that is due to the fact that Ms Forrest works as a history teacher (You have got to love historians who are careful not to take too many liberties with the accepted facts) and because she has a personal family connection with the war events in PNG that leads to a sense of duty/honour to tell the story right. And boy does she ever get it right! Ms Forrest weaves historical events with fiction in such an effortless way that leaves you wanting more. I loved reading about the landscape and culture of PNG. I had the privilege of briefly visiting PNG a few years ago and visited many of the WWII sites/memorials and so this book really had an impact. Also, my Dad's military research was heavily focused on Sanananda (a village in PNG) so I grew up knowing more about the war in PNG than in Europe so the events of this book just captured my attention in a very impacting way.
Ms Forrest's writing of family and friendship always strikes a chord with me in terms of believability and I was so smitten with the character of Michael. I hated getting to the last page and knowing, as a reader, what is about to come next in terms of the war coming to PNG but having the characters still so oblivious and while I feel quietly confident that Ms Forrest will deliver a safe ending for Michael (she better!), you wonder how many of his brothers and friends we will lose before the end of the story.
The only downside for me is that I could have done without the Layla and circus story line. I get that every story/writer needs a villain, but I would have preferred more of a focus on Michael's family and the war effort. That is just me. I read to believe in a better world and that world would be devoid of people like Layla and so I found some of her scenes and things she does a little hard to read.
Bring on book #2!
Reading Challenge
Aussie Readers 2021 Spring Bingo Challenge: Column 1, Row 1 - Read a book published in 2021
Aussie Readers 2021 September Celebrating Libraries Challenge: Does your library organise authors to visit and give talks? Read a book by a favourite author.
May 12, 2023
A story about Australia at the time of WWII. This is the first book in a 3 book series. Because the first book merely set the stage for things to come, I got suckered into buying the second book. Ha! The story is interesting and predictable and a good editor would have shortened it by half. Lots of fluff and amateurish writing. So why did I buy the second book you ask. I cared enough about the characters to see what happens next.
April 30, 2022
Australian History Comes Alive
It has always been a pleasure of mine to learn about the world through historical fiction. This series does not disappoint.
It has always been a pleasure of mine to learn about the world through historical fiction. This series does not disappoint.
February 21, 2022
Thank you to Australian and NZ Rural Fiction, Facebook and Rhonda Forrest for my copy.
I absolutely loved the book and most of the characters. Beautiful descriptions of the harsh Australian outback and the jungles of Rabaul, New Guinea. The droving lifestyle is hard but twins Michael and Dan McTavish love the life and jump at the chance to work on another property to see other places and try new work. Both are family orientated but also crave the chance for adventure. Their paths change, both going their separate ways for totally different careers. Joanie is also adventurous and jumps at the chance to go with her father Reg to Rabul , New Guinea for two years to run a business there. Joanie, Michael and Gracie are my favourite characters and I can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy to find out what happens. I like that some of the story is based around the author's grandfather and also tells of the little known part of history of Australian soldiers known as the Lark Force based in Rabaul.
I absolutely loved the book and most of the characters. Beautiful descriptions of the harsh Australian outback and the jungles of Rabaul, New Guinea. The droving lifestyle is hard but twins Michael and Dan McTavish love the life and jump at the chance to work on another property to see other places and try new work. Both are family orientated but also crave the chance for adventure. Their paths change, both going their separate ways for totally different careers. Joanie is also adventurous and jumps at the chance to go with her father Reg to Rabul , New Guinea for two years to run a business there. Joanie, Michael and Gracie are my favourite characters and I can't wait to read the next book in this trilogy to find out what happens. I like that some of the story is based around the author's grandfather and also tells of the little known part of history of Australian soldiers known as the Lark Force based in Rabaul.
November 26, 2021
Review to follow.
November 17, 2025
4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
April 21, 2022
An excellent historical novel regarding life in Australia prior to and during the beginning of WW II
March 19, 2022
Finally read this book that everyone is talking about. It certainly lived up to the hype. Fantastic Australian writing with realistic characters and thoroughly researched historical events. Now onto Book 2.
January 23, 2022
Elizabeth's Star: Book 1 - We'll Meet Again Series
Although the book starts out a bit slow, it picks up to a page turn, and the reader gets invested in the characters, and the descriptive scenery. Set in Australia and New Guinea at the on set of World War II, it is interesting to view that time in history from a different perspective. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Highly recommend!
Although the book starts out a bit slow, it picks up to a page turn, and the reader gets invested in the characters, and the descriptive scenery. Set in Australia and New Guinea at the on set of World War II, it is interesting to view that time in history from a different perspective. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Highly recommend!
September 24, 2021
First volume of a series, ELIZABETH'S STAR by Rhonda Forrest is set in pre- and early World War II Australia and New Guinea. It introduces us to twins Michael and Dan McTavish in the far north county of Queensland. Having come of age, they leave home on their own, driving horses to a southern location, working there with their horses, moving on to work with the largest circus in Australia, and for the first time, exploring the delights of liquor and the opposite sex, resulting in an out-of-wedlock child. Dan stayed with the circus but Michael wanted to go home to his family. Plans are upset by WWII, and a second plot involves Joanie and her father, who relocate to New Guinea for work. There are many scenes describing the locations, with a quite active volcano close by to their New Guinea town. With the war heating up, the volcano coming to life, and Japanese soldiers coming closer, futures become uncertain and lives and plans disrupted. ELIZABETH'S STAR seems to largely lack the tension and conflicts that can propel a good plot. I'll probably leave the subsequent volumes to others.
December 27, 2021
I have a large amount of problems with this book. First of which is the complete lack of cohesive narrative. Characters are introduced, seemingly at random, and then we follow their story and events that have happened to them, and for some reason, we switch to someone else, and then an existing character shows up in a minor sense, and you somehow have to fit the pieces together yourself. The climax was extremely late, almost comically so, managing to include what felt like fourteen cliches and zero resolution. To make matters worse, the book just ended leaving me wondering where the rest of the book is. I will not be continuing with this series.
January 2, 2022
Starting off the year with a new author, historical fiction book, and five stars- priceless! Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
September 17, 2024
This is the first in an historical fiction trilogy by Australian author Rhonda Forrest. The story is divided between outback Queensland in the 1930s and Rabaul, Papua New Guinea during WWII.
The story begins in 1929 with the McTavish family living on Bundine Station in the remote Channel country of Queensland. Twins Michael and Dan McTavish end up going droving, shifting mobs of cattle over large stretches of outback country. When they end up taking a mob to Broken Hill, a visit to the circus changes both of their lives dramatically. Dan decides to join the circus as a trick rider but Michael is homesick for the Channel country and doesn’t want to stay. The outcome of one fateful night forces Michael instead to go to Melbourne. Eventually when WWII arrives he signs up with the 2/22 AIF and is posted to Papua New Guinea.
Joanie Black lives with her parents in Woombye, spending time with the neighbour’s sons Andrew and Peter. After the disappointing end to a childhood romance she moves to Brisbane and finds independence and freedom. When her father Reg asks her to accompany him to Rabaul, Papua New Guinea to manage a friend’s shop she jumps at this adventure. Despite the rumours of war in the region and the rumblings of the volcano in Rabaul, Joanie is keen to embrace her new life.
The third point-of-view character is five-year-old Gracie who is grieving for her father who has left for the war. She has to deal with the neglect from her selfish and heedless mother. Each night she comforts herself by talking to Elizabeth’s Star, as her father told her to, hoping he can hear her.
This was an enjoyable historical fiction and romance. Apparently the story is based on the author’s grandfather, but the audio version I listened to unfortunately did not contain this author’s note and introduction. This was an engaging, light read, somewhat cliché in parts but a pleasant enough read.
The story begins in 1929 with the McTavish family living on Bundine Station in the remote Channel country of Queensland. Twins Michael and Dan McTavish end up going droving, shifting mobs of cattle over large stretches of outback country. When they end up taking a mob to Broken Hill, a visit to the circus changes both of their lives dramatically. Dan decides to join the circus as a trick rider but Michael is homesick for the Channel country and doesn’t want to stay. The outcome of one fateful night forces Michael instead to go to Melbourne. Eventually when WWII arrives he signs up with the 2/22 AIF and is posted to Papua New Guinea.
Joanie Black lives with her parents in Woombye, spending time with the neighbour’s sons Andrew and Peter. After the disappointing end to a childhood romance she moves to Brisbane and finds independence and freedom. When her father Reg asks her to accompany him to Rabaul, Papua New Guinea to manage a friend’s shop she jumps at this adventure. Despite the rumours of war in the region and the rumblings of the volcano in Rabaul, Joanie is keen to embrace her new life.
The third point-of-view character is five-year-old Gracie who is grieving for her father who has left for the war. She has to deal with the neglect from her selfish and heedless mother. Each night she comforts herself by talking to Elizabeth’s Star, as her father told her to, hoping he can hear her.
This was an enjoyable historical fiction and romance. Apparently the story is based on the author’s grandfather, but the audio version I listened to unfortunately did not contain this author’s note and introduction. This was an engaging, light read, somewhat cliché in parts but a pleasant enough read.
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