Title: Thursdays at Orange Blossom House
Author: Sophie Green
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Genre: General Fiction, Modern & Contemporary Fiction, Fiction
Year of release: 2021
Release date: 28th July 2021
Rating 
Synopsis
Far North Queensland, 1993: At 74, former cane farmer Grace Maud is feeling her age, and her isolation, and thinks the best of life may be behind her. Elsewhere in town, high school teacher Patricia has given up on her dreams of travel and adventure and has moved back home to look after her ageing parents, while cafe owner Dorothy is struggling to accept that she may never have the baby she and her husband so desperately want. Each woman has an unspoken need: reconnection. And that’s how they find themselves at Orange Blossom House, surrounded by perfumed rainforest, being cajoled and encouraged by their yoga teacher, the lively Sandrine. Together, they will find courage and strength – and discover that life has much more to offer than they ever expected.
Review
Far North Queensland, Australia, 1993 Grace Maud a former cane farmer is feeling every ache and pain of her 74-year-old body, along with the ever-present weight of never-ending isolation; surely the best years of her life are long gone? Change: Grace Maud is about to learn although sometimes scary is not always avoidable.
High School teacher Patricia is good at having her student’s curriculum organised, her hopes for their future are coming into view; if only Patricia’s own future was looking just as bright, instead Patricia has had to postpone any dreams she’s had to move home to look after both of ageing parents, if only her siblings were willing to help some of the time. Patricia is about to find her voice amongst that of her opinionated family once and for all.
Dorothy is finding it difficult to come to terms with the fact that she may never have a baby, becoming parents to a baby Dorothy and her husband both want so desperately. Will she ever be comfortable with the idea that babies aren’t apart of their future? Or will watching yet another friend brings another life into the world always bring her to tears?
Fans of modern & contemporary fiction and strong female friendships mixed with heart and real-life struggle should look no further then Australian Author Sophie Green’s latest offering Thursdays at Orange Blossom House.
Books with multiple perspectives are a favourite writing technique of mine. Author Sophie Green has managed to craft some of my most memorable characters in 2021, I loved this trio in equal measure I found each of the trials to be relatable and the author has managed to make sure that the reader gains a crystal-clear image of each of the women, this doesn’t always happen with dual perspective reads in my opinion.
I will say I was rather looking forward to an epilogue upon coming to the end of this book just to check in with the women, I found myself a little disappointed but this in no way influenced my overall enjoyment of this novel.
Right from the first page Thursdays at Orange Blossom House is in continuous motion the short chapters only added to this willingness to pick up the book, even though the chapters were shorter than in most books in the same genre I found it gave the reader the time they needed to really get to know each character well individually.
“Work without expectation of reward”
― Sophie Green, Thursdays at Orange Blossom House
Being a 90’s child I loved the attention to detail that was used to describe the time period and the change in seasons this really got the feeling that time was actually moving forward in the book and the reader along with it rather than feeling motionless whilst the book and all the elements along with it was this unique attention to detail which gave the novel it’s 5-star rating for this reviewer.
Romance isn’t big on this reviewer’s radar Thursdays at Orange Blossom House touches on lightly without making it cringe-worthy or overbearing thank goodness.
Having now reached the end of this book which I’ve been wanting to read for most of the year I will say by the end of the book the reader will feel content and delighted with this feel-good read.
If you’re looking for a book that will make you feel good but also occasionally tugs on the heart-strings Thursdays at Orange Blossom House is perfect for the mature reader in your family, if you’ve read Sophie Green’s previous books, you’ll need this in your bookshelf.
With Continued thanks to Hachette Australia for sending a copy to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.