UNDER THE GOLDEN SUN by Jenny Ashcroft

 

A "remarkable novel of family and love during a time of war,"* Jenny Ashcroft's Under the Golden Sun follows a soul-searching young woman who takes a leap of faith and discovers a place to call home and someone to share her heart.

England, 1941. The world is at war. London is under siege as the German blitz pounds the city without warning, without mercy. Rose Hamilton did her part as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force until she was unfairly discharged following a tragic loss. Working as a secretary on a Devon farmland, Rose is out of harm’s way, but she needs to contribute to something greater than herself to truly recover.

Answering a newspaper advertisement for a companion to accompany an orphaned child to Australia, Rose becomes enchanted with four-year-old Walter Lucknow. Shy, imaginative, and kind, the boy lost his parents and has been living in near seclusion with his elder great aunt. As heir to a wealthy Australian cattle station, Walter must return to his homeland and his mother’s family.

Leaving her own family—and fiancé—Rose braves the long, dangerous voyage across Pacific waters where war is imminent to see Walter safely home. But upon arrival, Rose learns the truth about Walter’s relationship to the Lucknows and the land he’s supposed to inherit, a truth that haunts the boy’s Uncle Max, a wounded pilot scarred inside and out. And as Max opens his heart up to Walter, Rose is drawn to the man’s strength and compassion, finding herself torn between returning to England and staying with the child and man she’s grown to love.

MY THOUGHTS

This is one of the best books I have read this year. It is such a sweet innocent book with so many feels. From laughter to big sobbing tears it holds you. The history is beautifully written and makes you see things the way they are. The sun in Australia must be gorgeous....

My favorite lines in this book:

Please, she thought, let him be happy, here. Let Him be glad we came. She smiled down at him, wiped a tear from his watering eyes with her thumb. 

"Yeah," he said. "I see you, Rosie."

When Rose decides to check out an add she reads little does she know how much her life will change. How much her whole world will be turned upside down and in circles too. Her family doesn't seem too keen on her shipping off to Australia with a small child in tow. But Rosie knows she has to do this. She's not sure about her and her fiancee's future. Xander has not always been the best person in her life and spending her entire life with him may not be the best thing for her. Maybe being away will help....

This book takes you from London to Australia. Makes you feel like you are on the ship with Rosie and Walter. Walter is a child who lost the only family he has ever known and is going to meet his aunt, uncle and grandmother for the first time. But things are not as clear cut as they seem. Sometimes people say things so you take the road meant to be traveled. So life can go on as it should. To make amends for something that is basically not even their fault but needs to be done. Walter needs to be in Australia and with a certain family. 

The characters in this book are all so lovable. I loved Walter so so much. He wormed his little self right into my heart. As did Max. Max is the uncle. His sister Esme and Rosie are destine to become the best of friends. When Rosie and Walter first get to the ranch things don't go quite the way they were expected to. It takes a bit of time for some people to come through and be the people they are meant to be. 

This is a love story also. Three people in love. Two men and one woman. Will she make the best decision for herself or will she go the safe route. Will she be able to follow her heart or will her heart be shattered. Rosie knows beyond a doubt who has her heart. She loves him with all she has. From the very depths of her heart. Will he, can he, love her back. Truly love her. A love story in the midst of a family with many problems but so much solved also. During a big war that is tearing apart so much. A time when hope is all they have sometimes. 

This book will melt your heart in so many ways. Make you believe in things. Believe in the better parts. Also give you a taste of the worse parts. It's a very good book. Well written and at the very end you need to read the Historical Note. The author put it there for you and it's so worth reading. This book.... So so good.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #JennyAshcroft, #StMartinsPress for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

5/5 big huge stars and the very highest recommendation possible. Read it. Savor it. Enjoy. Have tissues handy.