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Mooney River
‘With all due respect, sir… No one knows anything about anyone’s life.’
Rain Douglass has spent years struggling to fit into the surf-obsessed town of Mooney River. Angsty and secretive, Rain doesn’t go to parties, hook up, or share every detail of her life on social media like other kids at school.
Erik Everson, Mooney River’s ‘Golden Boy’, is the privileged son of a surfing legend – but no one knows his life is falling apart. His twin sister Eleanor, a determined perfectionist, is fighting for control in a world she barely understands. Michael Thatcher, the twins’ messy and loud-mouthed best friend, is just trying to pass year eleven.
When Rain is forced to work with this tight-knit trio to protect her town from a megacorporation threatening their local environment, she is drawn into chaos, unexpected friendship, and sudden, intoxicating love. But will she be brave enough to hold on to it?
Rain Douglass has spent years struggling to fit into the surf-obsessed town of Mooney River. Angsty and secretive, Rain doesn’t go to parties, hook up, or share every detail of her life on social media like other kids at school.
Erik Everson, Mooney River’s ‘Golden Boy’, is the privileged son of a surfing legend – but no one knows his life is falling apart. His twin sister Eleanor, a determined perfectionist, is fighting for control in a world she barely understands. Michael Thatcher, the twins’ messy and loud-mouthed best friend, is just trying to pass year eleven.
When Rain is forced to work with this tight-knit trio to protect her town from a megacorporation threatening their local environment, she is drawn into chaos, unexpected friendship, and sudden, intoxicating love. But will she be brave enough to hold on to it?
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2022
1 person is currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Alice Woodland
2 books7 followersAlice grew up in Margaret River, Western Australia.
When she was six, she wrote a poem about having a bath in a tub of baked beans. It was hilarious.
Since then, Alice has studied English and Creative Writing, and earned a Graduate Diploma in Education.
Her favourite thing about teaching is making people laugh.
It's also her favourite thing about writing.
Alice writes lots of things, but I'm most proud of my debut novel, Mooney River.
It's good. Almost as good as the baked bean poem.
When she was six, she wrote a poem about having a bath in a tub of baked beans. It was hilarious.
Since then, Alice has studied English and Creative Writing, and earned a Graduate Diploma in Education.
Her favourite thing about teaching is making people laugh.
It's also her favourite thing about writing.
Alice writes lots of things, but I'm most proud of my debut novel, Mooney River.
It's good. Almost as good as the baked bean poem.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 20, 2022
I picked this book up one day and then it did not leave my hand until I finished it. I fell in love with this small coastal town and each of the characters as if I was in their world with them. It's love and it's life and it's real world problems and it left me wanting more! Indulge yourself in a little bit of teenage drama and I promise you will not be disappointed.
October 20, 2022
Mooney River is a delightful read with characters you just can’t help but fall in love with. It is an atmospheric Australian novel with a nuanced approach to life’s ups and downs. The multiple POVs were masterfully executed and made the story quite well rounded. Also the cover is sublime!
October 23, 2022
I would like to find Alice Woodland and give her a firm handshake, a six pack of Cruisers, a holiday somewhere nice - maybe the Philippines - but most of all, a big hug and a hearty congratulations for having written Mooney River - easily one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year.
Alice writes with warmth and authenticity, crafting distinct teenage voices that had me laughing out loud one moment, and unsteady the next. This is Mooney River's strength - the believability of the story is transportive, and even if your high school years are well behind you, you will still see yourself and your friends (and your Abigails) represented in these pages.
Very excited to see the places this emerging writer will go. Five stars.
Alice writes with warmth and authenticity, crafting distinct teenage voices that had me laughing out loud one moment, and unsteady the next. This is Mooney River's strength - the believability of the story is transportive, and even if your high school years are well behind you, you will still see yourself and your friends (and your Abigails) represented in these pages.
Very excited to see the places this emerging writer will go. Five stars.
January 25, 2025
This wonderful, beautiful, stunning novel has characters you will fall in love with, atmospheric settings that pull you in, and a story that'll keep you turning the pages. Since this is a biased review (I am the editor) I'll keep this review short and general by simply saying: READ MOONEY RIVER.
<3
P.S. Look at that cover by designer and artist Haylee Buswell! This book is a masterpiece inside and out.
(Re-read January 2025, appreciated it just as much this time!)
<3
P.S. Look at that cover by designer and artist Haylee Buswell! This book is a masterpiece inside and out.
(Re-read January 2025, appreciated it just as much this time!)
November 8, 2022
This is a beautifully-written, moving and authentic young adult novel told from the perspective of four teens living in a small coastal town. They're all dealing with their own personal challenges, as well as learning to stand up for what they believe in. The characters feel so real and I fell in love with all of them, but particularly Erik and Thatch who have my heart forever!! I also adored the vivid coastal setting. A wonderful debut!
October 24, 2022
Mooney River is such a delightful read. Alice Woodland has really captured the intricacies of high school drama, with distinct Australianisms throughout. The dialogue is especially excellent as each character as a unique tone of voice which helps the flow.
The multiple perspectives are executed in a satisfying and refreshing way that left me excited to read more. Whenever I had to put the book down, I kept thinking about it; what was going to happen to Rain? Will Thatch be alright?
The cover is beautiful, and (my edition of) the book has a nice weight to it. I was hooked from the first line. Congrats to Woodland for her incredible debut novel!
The multiple perspectives are executed in a satisfying and refreshing way that left me excited to read more. Whenever I had to put the book down, I kept thinking about it; what was going to happen to Rain? Will Thatch be alright?
The cover is beautiful, and (my edition of) the book has a nice weight to it. I was hooked from the first line. Congrats to Woodland for her incredible debut novel!
October 21, 2022
Charismatic and relatable.
Upon opening Mooney River it's impossible not to get drawn into the world of the four central characters. A beautifully written exploration of the lives, loves, conflicts and triumphs of these multifaceted teenagers.
Mooney River is an engaging and relatable take on the classic coming of age genre, exploring themes both timeless and contemporary.
Uniquely Australian and full of charisma, Mooney River will resonate with teenagers everywhere and offer a healthy dose of nostalgia for older readers, reminding us of the all encompassing emotions of our teenage years.
Upon opening Mooney River it's impossible not to get drawn into the world of the four central characters. A beautifully written exploration of the lives, loves, conflicts and triumphs of these multifaceted teenagers.
Mooney River is an engaging and relatable take on the classic coming of age genre, exploring themes both timeless and contemporary.
Uniquely Australian and full of charisma, Mooney River will resonate with teenagers everywhere and offer a healthy dose of nostalgia for older readers, reminding us of the all encompassing emotions of our teenage years.
October 21, 2022
“If the planks below me broke right now, I’d die.”
Rain Douglass struggles to fit in with the teenagers in Mooney River however, she isn't your normal teenager from a "normal" nuclear family.
Enter Erik Everson, Mooney River's answer to Kelly Slater. Son of a surfing legend and twin to Eleanor, a perfectionist and founding member of a school eco-club.
Rain is about to learn some lessons on love, Friendship, and trust.
A fabulous story that intrigues the reader from the very first page. Mooney River has you warming to the characters, fighting their battles and crying their tears.
A fabulous debut novel by Alice Woodland, this author is going places.
Rain Douglass struggles to fit in with the teenagers in Mooney River however, she isn't your normal teenager from a "normal" nuclear family.
Enter Erik Everson, Mooney River's answer to Kelly Slater. Son of a surfing legend and twin to Eleanor, a perfectionist and founding member of a school eco-club.
Rain is about to learn some lessons on love, Friendship, and trust.
A fabulous story that intrigues the reader from the very first page. Mooney River has you warming to the characters, fighting their battles and crying their tears.
A fabulous debut novel by Alice Woodland, this author is going places.
October 21, 2022
This is a fantastic debut novel from this very talented writer! Instantly, I was transported to my local high school, enthralled in the every day dramas that filled the walkways.
Each character resonated with me and those students milling around me, yet Thatcher really spoke to me. It captures the epitome of adolescence perfectly! Each day, teenagers are blindly wading through such pinnacle moments that shape their lives and the author had captured those such moments perfectly.
Get lost in the hallways, lost in the waves, lost in the teenage dramas. Get lost in Mooney River!
Each character resonated with me and those students milling around me, yet Thatcher really spoke to me. It captures the epitome of adolescence perfectly! Each day, teenagers are blindly wading through such pinnacle moments that shape their lives and the author had captured those such moments perfectly.
Get lost in the hallways, lost in the waves, lost in the teenage dramas. Get lost in Mooney River!
October 21, 2022
This is such a fun book to read. Once I started I couldn’t put it down. The split perspective gives you a chance to get to know all the characters, and their personal highs and lows. Mooney River is whitty, and funny, with a side of Australian teenage drama. It’s easy to get lost and immerse yourself in this wonderfully written novel, and is a book I could read over and over again!
October 27, 2022
Mooney River is a YA contemporary set on Australia's sunny coast that follows a group of teens who overcome their differences in order to come together for something important. Although this book has a summery, light-hearted tone, it also touches on more serious topics.
The characters are what make this book stand out. The author does a great job of establishing distinct voices for each of the four teens. Even the characters that I initially thought I might not like or care about reading, I ended up enjoying. With each section told by a different character, we learn that there’s a lot more to them than meets the eye. Everyone battles their own inner demons and secrets as they navigate the ups and downs of growing up. The characters' developing friendship with one another was especially appealing to me.
However, I thought the eco-club and environmental aspects were lacking. I wish there had been more focus on it, especially given that the story's main premise was a group of very different teens dealing with their own issues banding together to protect their town from a megacorporation threatening their local environment. So, while it delivered on the chaos, unexpected friendship, and romance it promised, it missed out on the external storyline.
Moreover, while the ending wasn't bad, it didn't fully satisfy me. The ending suggests that there will be a sequel, but I believe it would've worked better as a standalone because all loose ends were tied and there was no solid cliff-hanger for a second book.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read set in a small surf-obsessed coastal town with a fun group of characters dealing with everything from family to friends to what matters most in life.
[Thank you to the author for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review!]
The characters are what make this book stand out. The author does a great job of establishing distinct voices for each of the four teens. Even the characters that I initially thought I might not like or care about reading, I ended up enjoying. With each section told by a different character, we learn that there’s a lot more to them than meets the eye. Everyone battles their own inner demons and secrets as they navigate the ups and downs of growing up. The characters' developing friendship with one another was especially appealing to me.
However, I thought the eco-club and environmental aspects were lacking. I wish there had been more focus on it, especially given that the story's main premise was a group of very different teens dealing with their own issues banding together to protect their town from a megacorporation threatening their local environment. So, while it delivered on the chaos, unexpected friendship, and romance it promised, it missed out on the external storyline.
Moreover, while the ending wasn't bad, it didn't fully satisfy me. The ending suggests that there will be a sequel, but I believe it would've worked better as a standalone because all loose ends were tied and there was no solid cliff-hanger for a second book.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read set in a small surf-obsessed coastal town with a fun group of characters dealing with everything from family to friends to what matters most in life.
[Thank you to the author for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review!]
October 21, 2022
As soon as I picked up Mooney River I fell in love with the characters and the story to follow. I feel like we can all relate to the ups and downs of adolescence that we are so well reminded of in this story…. Especially those from a small town or better yet a small town in Australia. It was such an easy fun book to read, so incredibly well written with great depth in every detail hooking me in from the first chapter. You’ll love it!
October 21, 2022
Delightful and punchy little novel with engaging young characters and perfectly endearing Aussie colloquialisms that pepper the prose. I really did chew this up quickly and it all felt very real, riding the emotional roller coasters of the characters within the small coastal town of Mooney River…. it’s a fresh fun Lochie Leonard vibe for a new generation of readers.
January 31, 2023
Alice has perfectly captured the culture of Australia’s youth in Mooney River. A book that’s hard to put down, thoughtfully created with characters that hold a special place in the readers heart. A little bit of a love story tied into a little Aussie drama based around our youth of today. A wonderfully descriptive read that transports you to Mooney River and reignites your inner youth!
February 19, 2023
A realistic and entertaining coming of age story, set in a small town in Western Australia. It’s obvious that Ms Woodland understands adolescents, the characters are true to life as are the challenges they experience. Entertaining, while also considering social issues such ad drug taking, bullying, and family breakdown. Highly recommended as a YA read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews