Author: Sophie Green
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Genre: Modern & Contemporary Fiction, General Fiction
Year of Release: 2022
Release Date 27th July 2022
Rating 
Synopsis
Bellbird River, 1998: Teacher and single mum Alex is newly arrived in the small NSW country town of Bellbird River after escaping the city in search of a change of pace and the chance to reconnect with her young daughter. Across town, well-known matriarch Victoria and her globe-trotting, opera-singing cousin Gabrielle find themselves at a crossroads in their personal and professional lives, while local baker Janine and newcomer to the district Debbie are each secretly dealing with the consequences of painful pasts. With its dusty streets, lone pub and iron-lace verandahs, Bellbird River could just be a pit stop on the road to somewhere else. But their town holds some secrets and surprises – and it has a heart: the Bellbird River Country Choir.
Amid the melodies and camaraderie of the choir, each of the women will find the courage to leave the past behind. And together, they’ll discover that friends are much closer to home than they’d ever realised.
Review
Bellbird River, Sydney, Australia 1998: Four different women and one rural town are about to come together in the hopes of leaving their pasts behind them, each finding the power of friendship and music will bring them together.
Teacher and single mother Alex and her daughter Kim have just arrived in the rural town, escaping the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s city centre. Alex is hopeful the new life she’s in search of will be better for her and Kim whilst giving them a chance to reconnect.
Town matriarch Victoria life that she once knew has been turned upside down, a phone call from her beloved cousin informing her that she’s on her way home after years abroad isn’t what she was expecting but after recent events feels it couldn’t be that bad to see her again after all these years away? Victoria wonders what has bought the world famous Opera singer back to the little community she was so desperate to escape from all those years ago will the dynamic duo find their feet once again?
Jeanie who runs the local bakery is struggling to accept her new reality whilst desperate to hold onto the familiar past she once knew. Town newcomer Debbie has a secret she is coming to terms with whilst she tries to mend broken bridges from her past and at the same time emerging from the shadows to enter her bright future.
After reading Thursdays at Orange Blossom House late last year and loving it I needed no convincing in getting my hands on Sophie Green’s latest novel. If it’s one thing I’ve come to expect from the author, it’s a well-paced plot and characters that you feel as if you can make lifelong friends. The Bellbird River Country Choir delivers these elements in spades.
The book takes place over 12 months of the year, and I think this was a perfect way to tell a story, I as the reader believe it makes the story feel as if it is in motion and adds attention to detail. As always Sophie’s skilled writing draws the reader right into the 90’s instantly a time of memories and nostalgia a great comfort to this reader.
I found the characters interesting, and I believe Sophie Green has once again brought to life characters that have been affected by real life scenarios and not all pleasant, this is one of the many reasons I was unable to put this down. That’s not to say this reader enjoys the suffering of others but I think if anything it makes me wonder when did society stop listening and start judging so easily?
By the time I reached the end of this book I felt I needed more of a conclusion for this little community, perhaps this reader is somewhat greedy. I went in search of an epilogue always a sign of an excellent read.
If you’re an avid reader of the: Modern & Contemporary Fiction, General Fiction or have read the authors previous works like me you will be absolutely delighted once again. Sophie Green has put pen to paper and already anticipating her next book or planning a re-read. Overall, this book will put you in a great mood.
A trio of female friendship and the importance of family are the main tropes woven in this book.
The Bellbird River Country Choir touches upon some darker topics with care, consideration, respect
- Eating disorders
- Body image issues
- Mental Illness
- Self-doubt
I recommend The Bellbird River Country Choir to a mature audience or anyone looking for a feel-good comfort read with heart need to look no further, Sophie Green has become one of my favourite authors over recent years I look forward to her next offering Weekends with the Sunshine Gardening Society.
With continued thanks to Hachette Australia for sending a physical copy of this book to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.